Multiple Myeloma – Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatments
Having Multiple Myelomas can be a scary thing. But there are ways to treat it. Read on to learn about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments available.
Symptoms
Depending on the type of myeloma, patients can experience various symptoms. They may experience muscle weakness, fatigue, pain in the bones, and bone erosion. Myeloma can also affect the spinal cord, making patients more susceptible to infections.
Symptoms of multiple myeloma vary depending on the type of disease and the area in which it is present. If the disease is in the bones, patients may experience bone pain, which may be a sign of osteoporosis. The bone pain can be mild or severe, depending on the extent and speed of development. The most common site for bone pain is the back.
Other symptoms of multiple myeloma include anemia. Anemia is caused by a lack of red blood cells in the body. Anemia can cause fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and forgetfulness. Anemia may also be accompanied by infections. Common infections in myeloma patients include pneumonia, kidney infections, skin infections, and bladder infections.
Myeloma cells cause bone damage, which can result in fractures. In some cases, the bones can press on spinal nerves. When this happens, it is important to treat it immediately.
The disease also causes abnormally thick blood. Myeloma cells can cause anemia because they are unable to produce enough red blood cells. These abnormal cells also cause hypercalcemia or too much calcium in the blood. Hypercalcemia is a very serious disease because too much calcium in the blood can cause bone weakness and other health problems.
Multiple myeloma can also cause gastrointestinal symptoms. Gastrointestinal symptoms may include diarrhea, constipation, and nausea. These symptoms can be managed by eating small meals, drinking fluids, and taking antiemetics. These medications may also be able to prevent nausea from occurring.
During the early stages of multiple myeloma, patients may not experience any symptoms. However, these patients may be more susceptible to infections, which can make them difficult to recover. Infections can lead to a decreased immune system, which makes them more susceptible to infections.
Bone pain can be very uncomfortable. Some patients experience bruising or numbness, which may be caused by fewer platelets. This can also slow wound healing.
Diagnosis
During the diagnosis of multiple myeloma, the patient may undergo a variety of tests. These tests are designed to detect the presence of cancer and monitor its progression. The tests can also determine if cancer has spread. The tests may include bone marrow tests, blood tests, urine tests, and imaging studies.
The tests may also be used to detect signs of other diseases that can have similar symptoms. Depending on the severity of the disease, the doctor may refer the patient to an oncologist.
Bone pain is a common symptom of multiple myeloma. The pain usually comes from the lower back, ribs, or vertebrae. It can also occur in the spinal cord. The pain is worsened by movement. The doctor may also use x-rays to check for fractures.
In addition to the pain, the doctor may also notice changes in the bone marrow. These changes may include the production of abnormal plasma cells. These cells can crowd out healthy red blood cells and white blood cells. These cells are responsible for producing proteins that help fight infection. When these cells are not produced, the bones become weakened.
There are a variety of blood tests that are used to detect multiple myeloma. These tests can measure calcium, creatinine, and albumin levels. These tests can also detect if there is anemia. This occurs when the red blood cells are not producing enough oxygen. Anemia can cause symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, and weakness. It can also lead to bleeding and bruising.
If the tests indicate that there are abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow, the doctor may perform a bone marrow aspiration. This procedure involves a local anesthetic and the use of a needle to withdraw marrow fluid. The fluid is then examined under a microscope to find out if the cancer is present.
In addition to blood and bone marrow tests, other tests can be used to determine if multiple myeloma is present. These tests can help the doctor monitor the disease and determine the best course of treatment. The tests may include imaging studies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT).
A PET/MRI scan is used to monitor tumor activity. This scan uses radioactive glucose to detect cancer cells in the tumor. PET/MRI is not a standard of care, but doctors are studying whether it can give them more information.
Treatment options
Depending on your diagnosis, multiple myeloma treatment options include chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, and immunotherapy drugs. Each treatment option has its own goals and is tailored to each individual. These options can be used in conjunction with other treatments to keep multiple myeloma cells under control and help control the symptoms.
Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that kills rapidly dividing cells in the body. These cells include the bone marrow, hair follicles, and digestive tract. Chemotherapy is a common part of a multi-drug regimen, but it can cause side effects.
In addition to killing rapidly dividing cells, chemotherapy may also reduce the number of healthy cells. This can result in low blood counts, fatigue, and shortness of breath. If a patient’s blood counts drop below a certain threshold, he or she may be unable to receive a stem cell transplant.
The goal of a stem cell transplant is to replace the damaged or destroyed cells in the bone marrow. These cells are taken from the patient’s body or a donor. Then, the stem cells are thawed and given back to the patient in the same way that blood is transfused.
Unlike chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant does not use a surgical procedure. Instead, the procedure uses a catheter to deliver the stem cells to the patient. The treatment is usually done in the hospital. The patient may be hospitalized for several weeks.
Treatment options for multiple myeloma also depend on the stage of the disease. In the early stages, the cancer is not causing symptoms. But as the disease progresses, the symptoms may appear. The symptoms include unexplained fractures, aches and pains, peripheral neuropathy, fatigue, and difficulty walking. These symptoms may be caused by cancer or by another illness.
In addition to chemotherapy, patients may also receive steroids to fight inflammation. These steroids are available in both intravenous (IV) and oral forms. They can also be given in low doses to treat bone pain.
Some patients may also be placed on a clinical trial. These trials are designed to find new ways to treat multiple myeloma. These trials may also involve supportive care services to help manage side effects.
Complications
Having multiple myeloma can be a life-threatening condition. The disease affects the immune system, causing the body to produce a lot of abnormal antibodies and white blood cells. This increases the risk of infection. It also damages the bones and makes them brittle. It also increases the risk of heart problems.
Multiple myeloma can be diagnosed using a blood test. The test can show the presence of anemia and abnormal blood proteins. The blood can also show signs of kidney and bone damage. People with multiple myeloma are more likely to develop bone pain. They may also break bones from minor injuries.
Multiple myeloma symptoms include anemia, bone pain, hypercalcemia, kidney failure, heart failure, kidney stones, kidney inflammation, and infections. In addition, patients may need blood transfusions to treat anemia. Other symptoms may include shortness of breath, fatigue, and dizziness. People with high cholesterol or high blood pressure are at a higher risk for heart problems.
When multiple myeloma cells start to spread, they can crowd out healthy cells in the bone marrow. They can also block kidney passageways. The cancerous cells can also grow outside the bones. If you have multiple myeloma, you may have imaging tests to look for tumors and other bone problems. Some of these tests may include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) with CT, or X-rays.
Blood tests also can show if you have a higher-than-normal amount of calcium in your blood. High calcium levels in the blood are a risk factor for a heart attack. If you develop hypercalcemia, you may be given medicines to treat the problem. Your doctor may also prescribe a treatment to counteract bone loss.
Treatments for multiple myeloma include radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and stem cell transplantation. The goal is to get a complete response, meaning that there are no abnormal plasma cells in your blood.
Treatment can also include immunomodulatory drugs, which are available as pills. These medications can help fight multiple myeloma, but they can also cause birth defects. If you are pregnant, you should not take these medications.
When multiple myeloma is diagnosed, it may take a few months to start treatment. Your doctor may recommend you start treatment right away if you have a higher risk of disease progression.
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