Myeloma Cancer Treatment in Delhi
What is Myeloma?
Myeloma is a type of blood cancer of cells found in the bone marrow known as plasma cells. Plasma cells are an important part of the body’s immune system. These cells basically produce the antibodies that help our body fight any type of infection.
What are the types of Myeloma?
There are mainly two types of multiple myeloma, active and smoldering. You can determine the signs and symptoms of active multiple myeloma. But, in the case of smoldering multiple myeloma, there are no signs and symptoms of the disease.
Where Does Myeloma Start?
Myeloma is found in the bone marrow. The bone marrow is a spongy tissue inside your bones that normally creates the different parts of your blood.
Though the causes of myeloma are not clear, Doctors acknowledge that myeloma begins with a single abnormal plasma cell in your bone marrow and multiplies rapidly.
What are the risk factors for Myeloma?
Doctors and Scientists are unable to know the root cause of Myeloma, it might be linked to the DNA changes over the years. But they do know that there are some risk factors that increase your chances of developing the disease.
Age
Most people with multiple myeloma are 45 or older. More than half are 65 or older.
Male Sex
Myeloma is slightly more common in men
Obesity
Being overweight can increase your chances of developing Myeloma.
Family History
Some of your close relatives in the family have had multiple myeloma.
Personal History
Chances of developing Myeloma may increase if you previously had another plasma cell disease.
Early Detection & Diagnosis of Myeloma
It is somehow difficult to find or detect multiple myeloma early. Generally, multiple myeloma doesn’t show any kind of symptoms till it reaches its advanced stage.
Multiple myeloma can be detected early in a routine blood test that shows a significantly high amount of protein in your blood. People who have MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance) may develop multiple myeloma in the future.
Multiple tests can be used for diagnosing multiple myeloma, such as:
- Blood & Urine Tests
- Bone Marrow Aspiration & Biopsy
- X-ray
- Computed Tomography (CT or CAT) Scan
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Signs & Symptoms of Myeloma
Mostly multiple myeloma shows no signs and symptoms early, but when they occur it might include the following:
- Bone pain (spine or chest)
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Mental confusion
- Fatigue
- Frequent infections
- Weight loss
- Weakness or numbness in your legs
- Excessive thirst
Treatment for Myeloma
Local treatments
Some treatments are called local therapies. This means they treat the tumor without affecting the rest of the body.
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
Systemic treatments
Multiple myeloma can also be treated using drugs, which can be given by mouth or directly into the bloodstream. These therapies can reach cancer cells anywhere in the body.
- Chemotherapy
- Steroids
- Immunomodulatory Drugs
- Proteasome Inhibitors
- Monoclonal Antibodies
- Antibody-drug Conjugates
- Nuclear Export Inhibitors
- Bone-modifying Drugs
- Bone marrow / Stem Cell Transplantation
- CAR T-Cell Therapy