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| Understanding Multiple Myeloma: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment [Source: CDC] |
March marks Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month, dedicated to shedding light on this rare form of blood cancer that affects plasma cells in the bone marrow and other areas of the body.
What is Multiple Myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer originating from plasma cells in the bone marrow. These cancerous cells proliferate rapidly, displacing healthy blood cells and producing abnormal proteins that can hinder bodily functions, including kidney function.
Symptoms and Risk Factors
Common symptoms include fatigue, persistent lower back pain, frequent infections, elevated creatinine levels in blood tests, and weakened bones leading to fractures with minimal trauma. Multiple myeloma primarily affects the elderly, with a higher incidence in males. In India, approximately 50,000 new cases are diagnosed annually.
Diagnosis and Staging
Consultation with an oncologist is vital if symptoms arise. Diagnosis involves a bone marrow biopsy, blood tests, and imaging studies to assess disease extent and stage.
Treatment Options
Treatment varies based on age, health status, and disease stage:
- Younger, fit patients often undergo induction chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplant.
- Older or unfit patients may receive chemotherapy alone, followed by observation. Relapse may necessitate alternative treatments.
Recent Advancements
- Several recent advancements have transformed myeloma treatment:
- Anti-CD38 targeted therapies like daratumumab and isatuximab aim to destroy myeloma cells by targeting the CD38 protein.
- BCMA-CAR T cell immunotherapy genetically modifies T cells to target BCMA on myeloma cells, eliciting a potent anti-cancer response.
- Bispecific targeted antibody therapies bind both myeloma cells and immune cells, promoting cancer cell destruction.
By understanding the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for multiple myeloma, individuals can navigate this condition more effectively.