Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects plasma cells, which are a type of white blood cell. It causes an abnormal increase in plasma cells in the bone marrow, leading to bone loss and weakening, anemia, frequent infections, and other symptoms. The exact cause of multiple myeloma is unknown, but risk factors include age, sex, family history, and certain genetic mutations. The prognosis for multiple myeloma varies depending on several factors, including the stage and type of cancer, the patient’s age and overall health, and response to treatment. But World Today Cancer Day, let us use this opportunity to raise awareness about this disease.
“Myeloma is a type of bone marrow cancer. Bone marrow is the spongy tissue in the center of some bones that produces the body’s blood cells. It is called multiple myeloma because the cancer often affects several areas of the body, such as spine, skull, pelvis and ribs. It affects plasma cells, which are a type of white blood cells responsible for producing antibodies,” Dr M. Srinivasa Reddy, Senior Consultant Surgical Oncologist, Kamineni Hospitals , says Hyderabad.
Multiple myeloma is one of the common types of blood cancer, accounting for approximately 8 to 10% of all blood cancers. “Multiple myeloma patients may suffer from various symptoms like back pain, bone pain, weakness, fatigue, tendency to develop various infections, kidney failure. These different clinical manifestations can lead patients to visit doctors from different specialties such as orthopaedics, internists, nephrologists and many other specialties,” Dr. Mallikarjuna Kalashetty, Consultant, Hematology, Hemato Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road says.
Multiple myeloma is a relatively uncommon cancer, but its incidence is increasing. It usually affects older people, with the average age of diagnosis being around 70 years. Despite its increasing incidence, multiple myeloma is often missed because of its subtle symptoms, which can be mistaken for other conditions.
Symptom
Some common symptoms of multiple myeloma include fatigue, weakness, bone pain, and frequent infections. However, these symptoms are also common in many other conditions, making it difficult for doctors to diagnose multiple myeloma early. Myeloma does not usually cause a lump or tumor. Instead, myeloma damages the bone and affects the production of healthy blood cells.
diagnosis
In the current era of cancer diagnosis and therapy, a diagnosis of multiple myeloma is fairly simple and can be obtained promptly. Initial evaluation of patients suspected of having multiple myeloma includes laboratory blood tests to look at blood components, liver and kidney function, and to look for an abnormal cancer-related protein called monoclonal para protein, which can be detected in basic blood tests. Can be easily done with Also called serum protein electrophoresis, serum immune electrophoresis, and free light chain assay. In most cases the diagnosis is confirmed with a bone marrow examination. Multiple myeloma affects the bones, weakening them and making them prone to fractures. Various imaging techniques are now available to assess the bone disease associated with multiple myeloma. We also use advanced molecular genetic techniques to stratify cancer and use targeted therapy.
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“A high index of clinical suspicion is important for diagnosing multiple myeloma. One of the key tests for multiple myeloma is a blood test that measures the levels of certain proteins in the blood by immune electrophoresis, such as M protein. . This test can help detect multiple myeloma early, when it is more treatable. Urine analysis detects Benzoin proteins,” says Dr. Reddy.
In addition to blood and urine tests, other tests such as X-rays, MRI scans, and bone marrow and kidney biopsies may also be used to diagnose multiple myeloma. Most often, a combination of these tests is used to confirm the diagnosis.
treatment
The treatment of multiple myeloma has advanced significantly over the past few decades. “A better understanding of myeloma biology has led to advances in diagnosis, prognosis, response assessment, and has also led to the development of a plethora of novel agents, immunotherapies, cellular therapies for treatment. These advances have greatly increased the survival rate of myeloma patients. have made impressive improvements. Most myeloma patients are now living for a long time with very good quality of life,” says Dr. Kalashetty.
Not everyone with myeloma needs immediate treatment – for example, the condition may not cause any problems. Myeloma is sometimes called asymptomatic or smoldering myeloma.
“Medical management of myeloma includes treatment with chemotherapy, steroids, bortezomib, and stem cell transplantation. Other adjuvant drugs to treat anemia and bone pain are usually complementary. Clinical trials include monoclonal antibodies, gene therapy and New analogs of immunotherapy are being studied rapidly and the treatment of myeloma is developing better and better,” explains Dr Reddy.
Despite the availability of these treatments, many patients are still not diagnosed in time. Experts suggest that this is due to lack of awareness about the disease as well as lack of access to proper diagnostic equipment and trained health professionals in rural areas.
To address this issue, health experts are calling for increased education and awareness about multiple myeloma. They are also advocating for better access to diagnostic tools and treatments.
Finally, multiple myeloma, because of its subtle symptoms, is often missed several times before it is finally detected. If you are experiencing any symptoms of multiple myeloma, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. Early diagnosis is the key to successful treatment and better outcome for patients.
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