Hello Delia,

Below is the information that I can share with you about Multiple Myeloma.

Multiple Myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells. You will find normal plasma cells in the bone marrow, which is the soft, inner parts of certain bones where new blood cells are made, and they are an important part of the immune system. These cells make antibodies that fight infections in the body. In Multiple Myeloma, these cells multiply the wrong way. They let too much protein (called immunoglobulin) into the bones and blood. It builds up throughout the body and damages the organs.

Multiple Myeloma is diagnosed by bone marrow biopsy. A needle is inserted into the bone marrow space to remove a small sliver of bone marrow. The tissue is examined under a microscope to determine if there are myeloma cells in the bone marrow. One can also perform genetic studies, including metaphase cytogenetics and fluorescence in situ hybridization on the bone marrow sample to identify genetic changes that have occurred in the myeloma cells.

One will also have to perform blood tests which would include complete blood count, serum and urine protein electrophoresis, the serum free light chain assay, lactate dehydrogenase, and beta2 microglobulin. These tests will evaluate the function of organs like the kidney, liver, and bone marrow, and will allow one to assess the status of Multiple Myeloma at regular intervals.

The serum or urine protein electrophoresis identifies the presence, type, and concentration of the M-protein, or monoclonal protein. It also provides a measure of the concentration of the major immunoglobulin types in the blood, including IgG, IgA, and IgM. People with Multiple Myeloma typically have abnormally high levels of either kappa or lambda light chain, and an abnormal ratio between the two light chains.

There's no known cure for Multiple Myeloma. Healthcare providers provide treatments to help people live as long as possible while having quality of life. For instance, antibiotics are given as the weakened immune system can lead to more infections. Chemotherapy is provided to reduce the number of abnormal plasma cells. High doses of steroids are given to kill cancer cells and reduce inflammation. Radiation therapy kills cancer cells and reduces bone tumors.

As with most types of cancer, early diagnosis and treatment will help people to live longer. Some people live 10 years or more with multiple myeloma.

Best.

Thank you very much!

What you want to know about myeloma?

Hello, what is proteasome, proteasome treatment for myeloma, side effects, life expectancy, age at which it appears, now more recently multiple myeloma also appears at the age of 33, there is no longer a rule when and why it appears .Thank you!