Understanding Plasma Cell Cancer: Multiple Myeloma Overview
This article provides a comprehensive overview of multiple myeloma, a blood cancer affecting plasma cells. It covers causes, symptoms, diagnostic methods, treatment options, and recent advances in managing the disease, highlighting the importance of early detection and personalized therapy to improve patient outcomes.
Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer originating from abnormal plasma cells. Normally, plasma cells produce antibodies to fight infections, but in this disease, these cells become malignant, forming tumors in the bone marrow. Often asymptomatic initially, advanced stages lead to symptoms like bone pain, anemia, infections, bleeding, and kidney issues. Causes are not fully known, but factors such as genetics, obesity, radiation exposure, and chemicals increase risk. Diagnosis involves blood tests, urine analysis, bone marrow biopsies, and imaging to detect bone damage.
Tumor growth in the bone marrow forms multiple masses, characteristic of multiple myeloma. Although treatable, it remains incurable and prone to relapse. Treatment options include steroids, chemotherapy, stem cell transplants, and targeted drugs like lenalidomide. Recent therapies have extended patient survival by approximately five years. Despite advances, it causes significant morbidity, with over 11,000 deaths annually in the US due to relapse or disease progression.
Relapse occurs when previously treated cancer recurs, often resistant to initial therapies. Symptoms may involve kidney failure, bone lesions, weight loss, anemia, and infections such as pneumonia. Bone pain, especially in the spine and ribs, is prevalent. The disease impacts multiple organs, with symptoms like fatigue, neurological issues, and blood abnormalities, caused by abnormal proteins produced by malignant plasma cells. Risk factors include genetic predisposition, obesity, and familial inherited conditions.
Advances in treatment, including proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs, alongside stem cell therapy, have improved outcomes. Managing kidney failure, a common complication, may require dialysis. Palliative care addresses pain and side effects, improving quality of life. Survival rates have increased, with about 35% of patients living beyond five years. Prognosis depends on disease progression rate and individual health status. Genetic testing helps identify high-risk individuals, guiding personalized treatment strategies.
