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- MULTIPLE MYELOMA
Bone marrow cancer, multiple myeloma, is also called Kahler’s disease. Carcinoma advances within the white blood cell called a plasma cell. Multiple myeloma is caused by the accumulation of cancerous plasma cells in the bone marrow. Immunoglobulin, a type of protein, builds up in your bones and blood. As a result, your body tangles up the substance, destroying it all over.
A cancer cell may also produce abnormal antibodies known as monoclonal proteins or M proteins, which can cause complications. As a result of accumulating those dangerous antibodies in the body, kidneys can be damaged. They also result in weak areas of bones known as lytic lesions.
Multiple myeloma doesn’t always need immediate treatment. It is best to monitor multiple myeloma closely rather than treat it if the disease has relatively few symptoms and grows slowly. India has the best oncology doctor in Delhi and the best cancer specialist in Delhi. Adhering to doctors’ advice is important.
What is the main cause of Multiple Myeloma Cancer?
Multiple myeloma has no known cause. In contrast, it results from a single abnormal plasma cell that multiplies rapidly and more than it should in the bone marrow. Those cells develop into cancerous myeloma, which doesn’t have a normal growth cycle. It causes the body to overburden and impair the growth of healthy cells because instead of multiplying and dying, they continue to divide forever.
Scientists have discovered that patients with plasma cell tumors have abnormal bone marrow cells, which in turn causes them to produce a hormone called interleukin-6. It is important to note that overproduction of this hormone is one of the major factors for the growth of plasma cell tumors. A doctor’s recommendation is vital for getting the tests done, and India’s UT is a great place to find the best cancer specialist in Delhi for such a condition.
What are the 3 types of Myeloma Cancer?
Three main types of myeloma cancers are active, inactive, and immunoglobulin types.
Active Myeloma Cancer
- High calcium levels in the blood lead to bone issues.
- Kidney failure due to the protein secreted by malignant cells.
- Anemia is caused due to the replacement of bone marrow by infiltrating tumor cells and inhibiting normal red blood cell production.
Inactive Myeloma Cancer
There are two types of inactive myeloma cancer – Smouldering Myeloma and Monoclonal Gammopathy of undetermined significance. Both of these are asymptomatic.
In both these types of inactive myeloma, the recommended treatment is watchful observation. Researchers continuously study these patients’ genes to identify the most likely to develop active myeloma.
Immunoglobulin Myeloma Cancer
Heavy and light chains make up the immunoglobulin myeloma cancer. In addition to the light chains, there are also two types of heavy chains, namely lambda and kappa. Myeloma cells will likely produce more heavy chains than light chains as the disease progresses. Meaning as the free light chain gets higher, the more aggressive the disease becomes.
Multiple Myeloma stages
Stage symptom and life expectancy 1
Multiple myeloma stage 1 is an early time of the illness. Causing only a few myeloma cells to be found in the blood. Stage 1 patients may not display symptoms. However, in stage 1, There is no evidence of any abnormality in your albumin levels, B2M levels, or LDH levels. Your cancer cells don't have an aggressive genetic makeup. Many people do not know they have it until it is advanced to treat it at this stage. According to the reports, a person with stage 1 multiple myeloma has a 77.5% chance of surviving for 5 years following diagnosis.
Stage symptom and life expectancy 2
The progression of cancer is indicated by the medical tests conducted in stage 2. Some people may start experiencing symptoms such as bone pain, fatigue, and loss of appetite. You have a low level of albumin in stage 2. Your B2M level is either normal or slightly higher than normal. According to reports, stage 2 multiple myeloma patients have a lower chance of living five years after diagnosis than stage 1 patients.
Stage symptom and life expectancy 3
If the disease has progressed to this point, the body contains more myeloma cells. They may also experience new symptoms, such as frequent infections, confusion, and weight loss. You have a high level of B2M in stage 3, which means that the disease is widespread and advanced. You have a high level of LDH in your blood, or your DNA has been altered. Multiple myeloma stage 3 patients have a 54.5% chance of surviving five years after diagnosis.
Multiple Myeloma FAQs
Some patients with multiple myeloma do not show any symptoms, while others display symptoms like those below:
Bone problems
- Bone pain
- Bone weakness
- Fractures
Low blood counts
Multiple myeloma is marked by frequent shortages of blood cells (RBCs) and white blood cells (WBCs)
Signs of a nervous system disorder
By weakening the bones in the spine, the nerves can be pressed and eroded by myeloma. Spinal cord compression can result in permanent paralysis if it is not treated right away.
Infections
Those with myeloma who get infected may not respond to treatment right away. Myeloma patients often contract pneumonia, a serious infection.
Damage to nerves
A pins and needles sensation occurs in the legs when the abnormal proteins produced by myeloma cells cause toxicity in the nerves. It is known as peripheral neuropathy.
Hyperviscosity
Hyperviscosity is the thickening of the blood caused by an excessive amount of myeloma protein in some patients.
The condition can affect blood flow to the brain.
High blood levels of calcium
Hypercalcemia is a condition that occurs when there is too much calcium in the blood from myeloma. Calcium levels can rise to such an extreme that one may even slip into a coma.
Kidney issues
Myeloma proteins can damage kidneys. Once the kidneys are impaired, they cannot handle excess salt, fluid, and waste products.
Myeloma is a form of bone marrow cancer. Various bones in the body are affected by tumors in this type of cancer caused by the accumulation of plasma cells in the bone marrow. Multiple myeloma tumors vary in their aggressiveness and severity, which affects patient survival. However, the life expectancy of patients with multiple myeloma may vary depending on the stage of cancer.
The survival rates of multiple myeloma patients are only estimates, and doctors cannot predict the exact time since your life expectancy depends on how well your body responds to the treatments. It depends on whether a single plasmacytoma or multiple myeloma is diagnosed with myeloma survival rates.
Similarly, additional factors such as blood and bone proteins, kidney function, overall health, and health-related effects are considered. As medical technology advances, the life expectancy of patients diagnosed with myeloma cancer is increasing compared to the reported numbers. India has the best cancer surgeon in Delhi and multiple myeloma specialists in Delhi NCR, ensuring the patients recover well.
Multiple myeloma treatment is dependent on how a patient is feeling and on whether they are experiencing symptoms. Numerous patients have survived multiple myeloma even though there is no cure.
Several treatments are available to treat multiple myeloma. An important part of cancer treatment is treating symptoms and side effects.
- Therapy using medication
This treatment is called systemic therapy, used to destroy cancer cells medicines may be given through glass teams to reach cancer cells throughout the body. An oncologist generally prescribes a type of medication that may be given directly into the bloodstream or maybe swallowed orally.
- Chemotherapy
It uses drugs to destroy cancer cells, usually by preventing the cancer cells from growing and dividing. Combination chemotherapy is one of the most successful treatments of myeloma.
However, it has certain side effects, but it depends on the individual and the dosage used. Also, chemotherapy treatment varies from patient to patient and is usually given until the disease is controlled.
- Targeted therapy
It targets specific cancer proteins or tissues that contribute to the growth of cancer cells. This type of treatment blocks the growth of cancer cells and prevents the damaging of healthy cells. There are various types of targeted therapies such as- Proteasome inhibitors
- Monoclonal antibodies
- Nuclear export inhibitors
- B-cell maturation antigen targeting agent.
- Histone deacetylase inhibitors
- Immunomodulatory drugs
These types of drugs are given to stimulate the immune system. They prevent the new blood cells from forming and feeding myeloma cells.
Myeloma Cancer is rare and is more common in males than females.
Active surveillance, chemotherapy, steroids, targeted therapy
The major side effects of myeloma cancer treatment are constipation, fatigue, blood clots, anemia
Pain in bone is the most common in multiple myeloma cancer.