Multiple Myeloma – Symptoms & Procedure

The plasma cells is a white blood cell type found in bone marrow. Multiple Myeloma makes these plasma cells to multiply abnormally and become cancerous. This condition can significantly damage the immune system, kidneys, bones and the count of red blood cells in the body. Fortunately, Multiple Myeloma treatments help reduce these symptoms are entirely cure the disease.

What is Multiple Myeloma?

Multiple Myeloma aka Kahler’s Disease is a form of cancer that infects the plasma cells, whose abnormal growth, attacks the bones and the immune system of the patient.

Symptoms of Multiple Myeloma

There no specific signs for recognizing if a person is affected by Multiple Myeloma or not, as the condition can cause acute bone pain, fever symptoms or lose their appetite, which are common signs experienced by people during other medical conditions as well.

People might experience the following if they are suffering from Multiple Myeloma

• Acute Pain in bones, especially in the back
• Anemia and Fatigue
• Increased risk of infection
• Kidney Damage
• Unexplained Weight Loss
• Hypercalcemia
• Constipation

Diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma

In most cases, the patient’s Multiple Myeloma is diagnosed accidentally in their blood test, when they undergo it for a different condition, as the symptoms of the infection don’t specify the medical condition uniquely.

Tests and procedure that can help diagnose Multiple Myeloma

• Blood Tests – Laboratory analysis of the blood helps in revealing the amount of M protein or beta-2-microglobulin produced in the body by myeloma cells, that can assist in determining the aggressiveness of the myeloma.
• Urine Tests – can also show the production of M Protein. If the M Protein detected in the urine, it is called Bence Jones protein, in the medical world.
• Imaging Test –  Test associated to check Bone Problems like X-Ray, CT Scan, PET (Positron Emission Tomography), and MRI can help in detecting Multiple Myeloma.
• Bone Marrow Examination – requires the doctors to extract a tissue of bone marrow to examine its health, any abnormal functioning in the bone marrow will be instantly detected via bone marrow examination.

If your reports indicate that you have Multiple Myeloma, the information is gathered from you diagnostic tests for classifying the stage of cancer that helps in determining the aggressiveness of the diseases, and urgency of the treatment.

Multiple Myeloma Treatment

If you are suffering from any symptoms, the following treatment can help soothe out your pain by preventing its growth.

• Chemotherapy – includes putting the patient on high doses of anti-cancer medication that is given to him/her orally or using an IV. These medicines prevent cancer from spreading or growing in the body.
• Corticosteroids – Steroids used for stimulating or modifying hormone effects to reduce tissue growth and inflammation.
• Blood Transfusion – In this procedure, blood components are added into the patient's body to balance the deficiencies present in the bloodstream.
• Radiation Therapy – uses X-Rays for targeting and killing the damaged plasma cells in the body. Unlike chemotherapy, it focuses on the damaged cells only without damaging the area or healthy cells around it.
• Stem-Cell Transplant – is a surgical mini-transplant procedure in which a damaged portion of the bone marrow is removed from the body, replacing it with healthy stem cells that can produce healthy blood cells in the body.
• Auto-transplantation – can be considered to treat earlier stage of Multiple Myeloma. In this procedure, healthy tissues or organs are transferred from one part to another part of the body of the same person.

Cost of Multiple Myeloma Treatment

The cost of Multiple Myeloma Treatment varies for different procedures. A surgical method for treating Multiple Myeloma range between $98,000 to $200,000, as it might require a bone marrow or stem-cell transplant.

The cost of chemotherapy or radiation therapy will also add up to $10,000, as they need to be taken at least every week by the patient.

FAQs

How can I diagnose if I have Multiple Myeloma?

Multiple Myeloma can be diagnosed merely through a blood or urine test. If you feel that you might be suffering from Multiple Myeloma, then you can undergo these tests.

Is Multiple Myeloma treatable?

Yes, Multiple Myeloma can be treated with the help of a few treatments, which you can read about in the above in the article. 

How much will I take to recover from Multiple Myeloma?

Time taken to recover for each patient varies depending on the severity of their case. It also depends on the choice of treatment that is being used by the patient. Non-surgical treatments like radiation therapy and medications take longer to show results that can take 6 months or more than a year. 

Explore Medmonks.com to learn more about Multiple Myeloma or to consult about its treatment procedures in India.