Multiple Myeloma

Multiple Myeloma

  • Multiple myeloma is a cancer that affects plasma cells, a kind of white blood cell found in the soft insides of your bones, called marrow.
  • Plasma cells are part of your body’s immune system who make antibodies to help fight off infections.
  • In this cancer, plasma cells multiply and grow out of control.
  • They crowd out healthy cells, including red and white blood cells and those that keep bones strong. Over time, plasma cells spill out of bone marrow and travel to other parts of body, which can damage organs.
  • Multiple myeloma is relatively uncommon type of cancer.
  • It holds a rank of 23 and amounts to 0.88% of the total cancer cases, and its death rate is 0.99% of total cancer deaths in a year while its 5 years survival rate is 5-year survival rate stands at around 4.93 %.
  • Myeloma incidence rates are highest in Australia/New Zealand and lowest in Western Africa, but this partly reflects varying data quality worldwide.

Causes

Signs and Symptoms

    1. Loss of appetite.
    2. Bone pain and weakness.
    3. Confusion.
    4. Constipation.
    5. Dizziness.
    6. More thirsty.
    7. Infections.
    8. Bruising or purple-colored rash.
    9. Shortness of breath.
    10. Weakness and fatigue.
    11. Weight loss etc.

Investigation / Screening

  • Physical examination and investigation.
  • Complete Blood Count.
  • X ray / PET/ MRI/ CT Scan.
  • Biopsy –  Bone marrow aspiration is done since myeloma is found in the bone marrow. Plasma cells are affected in this cancer type, which are generated in the bone marrow, therefore biopsy of bone marrow becomes significant.
  • Electrophoresis – It measures the level of antibodies (Immunoglobins) in blood and urine.
  • Protein level in blood and urine.
  • Bone density scan is relevant to evaluate prognosis.

Treatment

  1. To plan personalised treatment for each individual patient as every individual is different even if they have the same type of cancer.
  2. To improve health related quality of life (QOL) in all types and stages of cancer patients.
  3. To plan for partial or total regression of tumour depending on the nature of tumors.
  4. To increase overall survival (OS) of patients.
  5. To increase disease free survival (DFS) where complete resection of tumour is achieved.
  6. To provide a treatment option to patients who are refractory to conventional treatments like chemotherapy / radiotherapy / immunotherapy etc.
  7. To reduce the rate of growth of the tumor in recurrent and advanced staged cases.
  8. To increase progression free survival in advance cases.
  9. To reduce impact of symptoms related to progression of disease.
  10. To improve confidence of patients.
  11. To provide palliative support in end-of- life cancer cases.
  12. To add happiness and extension of life to cancer patients.
  13. To compliment other therapies like chemotherapy, radiotherapy in a synergistic way.
  14. To reduce severity or adverse effects of other conventional treatment. This reduces incidence and frequency of hospitalization.
  1. It is pertinent to note that Rasayu Cancer Clinic does not claim or blame anything while communicating any aspect to cancer patients.
  2. Rasayu Cancer Clinic focuses on Ayurveda fundamental based therapies.
  3. Rasayu Cancer Clinic believes in continuous improvement in service and science.
  4. Rasayu Cancer Clinic always advocates patient centric approach which leads to long and happy life of cancer patients.
  5. Every patient has a right to choose the therapy.
  6. Rasayu Cancer Clinic never imposes Rasayana therapy on patients but helps them to take the right decision, hence making patients/ relatives well aware about the disease and possible outcomes along with its risk benefit and cost benefit ratios.
  7. Rasayu Cancer Clinic is well connected with global updates in cancer care and therapies, through advisors and collaborations with national and international institutes.

Surgery

  1. Surgery is sometimes used to remove single plasmacytomas, but it is seldom used to treat multiple myeloma.

Chemotherapy

  1. Chemotherapy treatment uses medicine to weaken and destroy cancer cells at the original cancer site and any cancer cells that may have spread to other parts of the body.
  2. While destroying cancer cells, it destroys fast dividing normal cells, which further creates multiple side effects.
  3. Side effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in multiple myeloma – Click Here
  4. Corticosteroids like dexamethasone or prednisone are used as treatment.
  5. Commonly seen side effects of targeted chemotherapy in multiple myeloma – Click Here
  6. Side effects of Chemotherapy – Click Here
  7. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of Chemotherapy – Click Here

Radiation

  1. Radiation therapy often plays a valuable role in providing quick pain relief and decreasing the risk of fractured bones.
  2. It can also attack soft tissue collections of myeloma cells (plasmacytomas) that may threaten neurological function.
  3. Plasma cell tumors often present in one location (solitary plasmacytoma) and radiation therapy is used as the primary treatment.
  4. Side effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in multiple myeloma – Click Here

Stem Cell Transplant

  1. A stem cell transplant replaces abnormal cells in patients whose normal blood cells have been affected by cancer.


Immunotherapy

  1. These drugs stop the growth of cancer cells by interfering with certain proteins and receptors or blood vessels that supply the cancer with nutrients for its growth.
  2. Challenges for Immunotherapy in multiple Myeloma : Bone Marrow Microenvironment – Mediated Immune Suppression and Immune Resistance – Click Here

Rasayu Cancer Clinic Rasayan Treatment Protocol – To know more please click here

Rasayu Therapy is recommended for those :

  1. Who voluntarily opted for this treatment as their first choice.
  2. Who are disenchanted with the past treatments
  3. Who do not see any other options of treatments
  4. Who are looking for personalized treatment plan.
  5. Who desire a convenient home-based oral therapy which is easy for consumption.
  6. Who are susceptible to acquire hospital borne infections/ complications, hence not willing to be hospitalised.
  7. Who are looking for favourable risk benefit ratio.
  8. Who desire to improve Quality of Life benchmarks based on global standards and monitored regularly.
  9. Who wants to be involved in decision making for choice of treatment.
  10. Who are willing to be involved in monitoring the efficacy of Rasayana Therapy.
  11. Who believe in the transparency of the process by conducting regular investigations by biochemical parameters/ hi tech imaging techniques like PET scan etc.
  12. Who are looking for professionals being sensitive to the patient, the care givers and the family.
  13. Who desire to take even with other treatments including Chemotherapy / Radiotherapy.

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