Multiple Myeloma
Introduction
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the white blood cells. It often is located within one or more bones in the body. These affected areas of the bone can be weakened by the tumor cells and increase the risk of fracture.
Causes
The causes of multiple myeloma are still unclear. There is a predilection for this type of cancer to occur men and African-Americans, but this disease can occur in all people regardless of gender or ancestry.
Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis
Sometimes this disease manifests as end-organ damage with elevated blood calcium or kidney damage. Other times, it is found incidentally on an x-ray or CT scan. Often additional diagnostic workup is required including bone scan and bone marrow biopsies. Blood work will also be drawn to help understand the progression of the disease.
Treatment Strategies
Treatment strategies tend to be with chemotherapy and other systemic agents. Surgery can be used for stabilization of the bones that are risk of fracture from tumor destruction. Radiation therapy can decrease pain and may also decrease the risk of fracture of sites of bony disease.
Prognosis and prognostic factors
Each patient has a unique cancer type and stage with different underlying risk factors. During a oncology consultation visit, your oncologist will discuss expected outcomes.
Treatment Side Effects
Radiation treatment side effects tend to affect the tissues that are close to the tumor where the radiation is directed. Some side effects can be more pronounced during and shortly after radiation treatment (acute side effects). While other side effects may occur many months or years after treatment (chronic or late side effects).