Multiple myeloma is cancer that develops in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell.
Plasma cells help you fight infection by detecting germs and making antibodies that attack them. Multiple myeloma causes cancer cells to collect in the bone marrow, where they coalesce into healthy blood cells.
Instead of making useful antibodies, cancer cells make abnormal proteins that can lead to complications. For people who have no symptoms or signs, treatment of multiple myeloma is not always necessary.
There are many treatments available to help people with multiple myeloma who need treatment.
Cause
It is not clear why myeloma occurs.
Doctors know that myeloma arises from abnormal plasma cells in your bone marrow -- the soft, blood-producing tissue that fills most of your bone marrow. Abnormal cells grow rapidly.
Because cancer cells do not mature and then die like normal cells, they clump together, eventually producing healthy cells that are immune. in the bone marrow, myeloma cells aggregate solid white platelets and red platelets, prompting weakness and powerlessness to battle contamination.
ALSO VIEW: KNOW ABOUT Myelocathexis
Myeloma cells try to make antibodies like healthy plasma cells, but myeloma cells produce abnormal antibodies that the body cannot use. Instead, the body produces abnormal antibodies (monoclonal protein or M protein) and causes problems such as kidney damage. Cancer cells can injure bones, increasing the risk of bone fractures.
In the United States, about 3 percent of people over the age of 50 have access to MGUS. Every year, around 1% of individuals with MGUS foster different myeloma or related disease.
MGUS, similar to different myeloma, is described by the presence of an M protein in your blood - - which is delivered by strange plasma cells. However, MGUS has low levels of M protein and does not cause any harm to the body.
Symptom
Signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma can vary and none may be present at the onset of the disease.
At the point when signs and manifestations do happen, they might include:
bone pain, especially in your spine or chest
to feel sick
Constipation
anorexia nervosa
mental confusion or confusion
Tiredness
frequent infections
weight loss
weakness or numbness in your legs
feel very thirsty
to risk
Factors that increment the danger of numerous myeloma include:
As you get older, your risk of developing multiple myeloma increases, with most people diagnosed in their mid-60s.
Men are more likely to get this disease than men.
Black caste. Black people are almost twice as likely to develop multiple myeloma than white people.
Family history of multiple myeloma. If a sibling or parent has had multiple myeloma, you are at increased risk for the disease.
Personal history of MGUS monoclonal gammopathy In the United States, 1 percent of people with MGUS develop multiple myeloma each year.
Complications of multiple myeloma include:
Frequent infections. Myeloma cells destroy your body's ability to fight infection.
Bone problem. Multiple myeloma can also affect your bones, causing bone pain, osteoporosis, and bone fractures.
RECOMMENDED POST: What Is Myelodysplastic Syndrome?
Decreased kidney function. Multiple myeloma can lead to kidney failure and problems with kidney function. High levels of calcium in the blood associated with bone loss can interfere with your kidneys' ability to filter waste from your blood. Proteins produced by myeloma cells can cause similar problems.
Decreased number of red blood cells (anemia). Since myeloma cells are larger than normal blood cells, multiple myeloma can cause anemia and other blood problems.
Diagnosis
In some cases, your doctor may mistakenly diagnose multiple myeloma when you have a blood test for another condition. In different cases, your PCP might presume various myeloma dependent on your signs and indications.
Tests and methods used to diagnose multiple myeloma:
blood test. Laboratory analysis of your blood may reveal the M protein produced by myeloma cells. One more unusual protein created by myeloma cells - - called beta-2-microglobulin - - might be found in your blood and let your PCP know how forceful your myeloma is.
Likewise, a blood test to check your kidney work, platelet counts, calcium levels, and uric corrosive levels might show your PCP's analysis, urine test. Your urine analysis may show M protein, which when found in the urine is called Benz Jones protein.
Check your bone marrow. Your doctor may take a sample of bone marrow for laboratory testing. The sample is collected with a long needle inserted in bone marrow aspiration and biopsy.
Samples of myeloma cells are examined in a laboratory. Exceptional tests, for example, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), can examine myeloma cells to comprehend their hereditary anomalies.
There are also tests to measure the rate of myeloma cell division.
imaging test. Imaging tests may be recommended to rule out bone problems associated with multiple myeloma. Tests may include X-rays, MRI, CT, or positron emission tomography (PET).
Set a stage and risk limits
If tests show that you have multiple myeloma, your doctor will use information gathered from diagnostic tests to classify your disease as stage I, stage II, or stage III. Stage I represents a less aggressive disease and Stage III represents an aggressive disease that can affect bones, kidneys, and other organs.
Your multiple myeloma may also be assigned a risk category reflecting the severity of your disease.
Your various myeloma stage and hazard classifications assist your PCP with understanding your forecast and your treatment choices.
Treatment
Assuming that you truly do encounter manifestations, treatment can assist with decreasing torment, control confusions of the illness, settle your condition, and diminish the danger of fostering various myeloma.
If you have multiple myeloma but no symptoms (also called smoldering multiple myeloma), you may not need treatment. However, your doctor will monitor your condition regularly to see if the disease is progressing. This may include periodic blood and urine tests.
If you notice any signs and symptoms or develop multiple myeloma, you and your doctor may decide to start treatment.
Standard treatment options include:
targeted therapy. Targeted drug treatment focuses on specific lesions in cancer cells that allow them to survive. Bortezomib (Velcade), carfilzomib (Kyprolis) and Xiaomi (Ninlaro) are targeted drugs that block the action of substances that break down proteins in myeloma cells. This action destroys the myeloma cells. Targeted therapy drugs can be given intramuscularly into your arm or in pill form.
Other targeted therapies include monoclonal antibody drugs that bind to specific proteins in myeloma cells, resulting in their death.
biological medicine. Biologic therapy drugs use your body's immune system to fight myeloma cells. Medicines such as thalidomide (Thalidomide), lenalidomide (Revlimid), and pomalidomide (Pomalyst) detect cancer cells and increase the number of immune cells that attack them. These medicines are usually taken in pill form.
Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy drugs destroy fast-growing cells, including myeloma cells. Chemotherapy drugs can be given through a blood vessel in your arm or can be taken as a pill. High dosages of chemotherapy drugs are utilized before a bone marrow relocate.
Corticosteroids.
Corticosteroids such as prednisone and dexamethasone alter the body's immune system to control inflammation. They are also active against myeloma cells. Corticosteroids can be taken as a pill or given through a blood vessel in your arm.
bone marrow transplantation. A bone marrow transplant also called a stem cell transplant, is a procedure that replaces healthy bone marrow with diseased ones.
Before a bone marrow relocates, blood-framing immature microorganisms are gathered from your blood.
Then you get high doses of chemotherapy to destroy your diseased bone marrow. Your stem cells then enter your body, where they reach your bones and begin to regenerate your bone marrow.
radiation therapy. These treatments use energy rays such as X-rays and protons to damage myeloma cells and stop their growth. Radiation therapy may be used to rapidly shrink myeloma cells in a specific area - for example, when abnormal plasma cells come together to form a tumor (plasmacytoma) that causes pain or bone loss Is.
If you are considered a candidate for a bone marrow transplant, your first aid may include treatments such as targeted therapy, biologic therapy, corticosteroids, and sometimes chemotherapy.
YOU MAY LIKE: Rheumatoid Arthritis
After a few months of treatment, your stem cells can be collected. You may have a bone marrow transplant soon after your cells are collected, or the transplant may be delayed. Now and again, specialists suggest two bone marrow transfers for individuals with various myeloma.
After your bone marrow transplant, you are more likely to receive targeted therapy or biologic therapy as a maintenance treatment to prevent the recurrence of myeloma.
Treatment of complications
Multiple myeloma can cause many complications, you may also need treatment for that particular condition. for example:
Bone pain medications, radiation therapy, and surgery can help control bone pain.
Kidney complications. People with severe kidney damage may need dialysis.
Infection. Your doctor may recommend specific vaccines to prevent infections such as the flu and pneumonia.
bone loss. Your doctor may prescribe medicines called bisphosphonates to prevent bone loss, such as pamidronate (Iredia) or zoledronic acid (Zometa).
Anemia If you have persistent anemia, your doctor may prescribe medicine to increase your red blood cell count.
DISCLAIMER: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor before starting any kind of program or making any changes to your diet.
