The American Cancer Society estimates over 32,000 new cases of multiple myeloma will be diagnosed in 2020. As the second-most common blood cancer, many people have questions regarding the condition and the effects of cancer treatment options like chemotherapy. Here’s a closer look at this harmful yet highly manageable disease.

A Brief Guide to Multiple Myeloma

What is it?

Multiple myeloma is a cancer that affects bone marrow. The disease causes abnormal cells to infect the bone marrow and crowd out healthy blood cells, including red cells, white cells, and platelets. The reduction in essential cells lowers the number of antibodies produced to fight off infections.

What are the symptoms?

People with multiple myeloma may not show signs in the early stages of the disease. Various symptoms can occur gradually, including weakness in the legs, fatigue, and bone pain. Kidney failure is a potential issue since abnormal antibodies will clog the organ.

How is it diagnosed?

If symptoms are persistent, see a doctor for proper diagnosis. Multiple tests are used to identify the disease, such as urine and imaging tests. Your doctor may extract bone marrow for further study in a laboratory, running tests like fluorescence in situ hybridization, which can analyze abnormal cells. Blood tests will detect atypical myeloma cells while examing your kidney function and blood cell count.

Is there a treatment?

If your symptoms aren’t apparent, your doctor may hold off on therapy. If you show signs of progression, however, they’ll pursue different cancer treatments.

Certain biological therapy drugs strengthen your immune system to eliminate invading cancer cells. Chemotherapy is designed to kill fast-growing myeloma cells, and it’s given in high doses before a stem cell or bone marrow transplant. The drugs kill the diseased bone marrow before your body is infused with healthy stem cells.

If you have further questions about multiple myeloma, contact the physicians at Alaska Oncology and Hematology, LLC in Anchorage. Their skilled doctors and nurses are adept in state-of-the-art procedures for a host of cancer treatments, including immunotherapy, hematology, and hormonal therapy. Visit their website to meet their team or call them at (907) 279-3155 to schedule an appointment.