Multiple Myeloma Cancer
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Understanding Multiple Myeloma Cancer
The first step in multiple myeloma cancer treatment is understanding your cancer. At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) we work to inform you about your cancer, and all the options available for multiple myeloma cancer diagnosis and treatment. When you're well-equipped with information, you have the ability to make the best choices for your treatment and care. We also understand that you may be overwhelmed by the "information overload" created by many sources of multiple myeloma cancer information. At CTCA, we help you sort out this overload so you have a clear understand of your multiple myeloma cancer and your treatment options.
To learn more about our treatment options, call us at 800-615-3055and speak with one of our Oncology Information Specialists. They will help you to understand your treatment options and determine if CTCA is the right place for you. You can also chat online about multiple myeloma cancer with our specialists anytime of the day.
What is Multiple Myeloma Cancer?
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the blood that begins in the plasma cells, which function as part of the body's immune system. Plasma cells, which are found mostly in bone marrow, make proteins called antibodies that attack invading organisms and fight infection. Cancerous plasma cells collect in the bone marrow and in the hard outer part of bones. In most cases of multiple myeloma cancer, the cells collect in many bones, causing multiple tumors and other problems.
A cancerous plasma cell is referred to as a myeloma cell. This is an important distinction, as it differentiates multiple myeloma cancer from bone cancer, which is a cancer of the bone cells. Bone cancer diagnostic techniques differ from those for multiple myeloma cancer, and bone cancer treatment differs from multiple myeloma cancer treatment as well.
There are 13,500 new cases of multiple myeloma cancer diagnosed each year; it accounts for 20% of all new blood cancers, and 1% of new cancers overall. Multiple myeloma cancer occurs in men more often than women, and the risk increases with age--only 1% of people diagnosed with multiple myeloma cancer are under age 40, and half of the people diagnosed are over age 71. Being overweight also increases a person's risk of developing multiple myeloma cancer.
Other risk factors for developing multiple myeloma cancer include heavy exposure to atomic radiation, petroleum products (workers in some oil-related industries may be at higher risk than the general population), certain pesticides and solvents, heavy metals, and certain airborne particles.
Multiple Myeloma Symptoms
Multiple myeloma symptoms include the following:
- Unusual bone pain and fragility
- Anemia, which is a low red blood cell count often resulting in a general feeling of weakness.
- Low white blood cell count, which leads to a reduced resistance to infections, such as pneumonia.
- A low platelet count--platelets are the blood cells responsible for clotting, so a low platelet count often results in unusually heavy bleeding from generally minor scrapes and cuts.
- Nervous system symptoms--bones in the spine can be weakened, and may even collapse, causing increased pressure on nerves that results in severe pain, numbness, and/or muscle weakness; in addition, if the blood absorbs too much calcium from bones damaged by multiple myeloma cancer, weakness and confusion could result, as calcium levels impact nerve cell function.
- Kidney symptoms--increased myeloma protein or calcium in the blood can harm the kidneys, which makes it more difficult for the body to process waste products and fluid.
- High blood calcium can result in a feeling of being extremely thirsty, a loss of appetite, constipation, and feeling sleepy.
It's important to remember that these multiple symptoms could indicate a condition other than multiple myeloma cancer. If you experience these multiple myeloma symptoms, please visit your health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Multiple Myeloma Cancer Treatment
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma cancer, Cancer Treatment Centers of America offers a comprehensive set of powerful tools and therapies. Your CTCA team will work with you to develop an individualized multiple myeloma cancer treatment plan suited for your particular needs. Your multiple myeloma cancer treatment plan can include conventional treatments, leading-edge procedures, and a blend of alternative, complementary treatment methods designed to address the needs of your body, mind, and spirit.
Your individualized multiple myeloma cancer treatment program can include the following methods:
- Radiation therapy - This is one of the three traditional forms of multiple myeloma cancer treatment. Radiation therapy techniques include External Beam Radiation Therapy, which uses a high-energy x-ray machine to direct radiation to a tumor, and TomoTherapy Highly Integrated Radiotherapy (HI-ART), an innovative new technique which focuses radiation directly on your multiple myeloma cancer tumor, sparing surrounding healthy tissue.
- Chemotherapy - A multiple myeloma cancer treatment method that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells by impeding their growth and reproduction. Innovative chemotherapy options include Fractionated Dose Chemotherapy, which breaks the total dose of your chemotherapy into smaller amounts, administered over 3-5 days, which can make your treatment more tolerable and reduce side effects.
- Stem Cell Transplantation - A surgical procedure that replaces your bone marrow and immune system with new, healthy bone marrow or blood stem cells that have either been harvested from you (Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation) or a suitable donor (Allogenic Stem Cell Transplantation).
- Biotherapy/Immunotherapy - A multiple myeloma cancer treatment method that uses your body's natural line of defenses.
We also offer a number of complementary and alternative multiple myeloma cancer treatments, including nutritional therapy, pain management, naturopathic medicine, mind-body medicine, physical therapy, and spiritual support. Your CTCA team will be comprised of expert practitioners in all these fields, rallied around you to treat and support your and your family in a comforting environment.
Cancer Treatment Centers of America is committed to working with your and your family to create an integrative, holistic multiple myeloma cancer treatment program that addresses the needs of your whole being. For further information about multiple myeloma cancer or the treatment options available at CTCA, please don't hesitate to contact one of our dedicated Oncology Information Specialists, either via Online Chat, Email, or phone at 800-615-3055. Our OIS team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to confidentially answer your questions about multiple myeloma treatment.