Multiple myeloma : Multiple myeloma, also known as myeloma, plasma cell myeloma or Kahler's disease , is a hematologic cancer, or cancer of the blood. It is the second most common blood cancer, after non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In multiple myeloma, a certain kind of white blood cell called a plasma cell begins to multiply abnormally within the bone marrow. Normally, plasma cells are responsible for producing antibodies that help fight infections. In multiple myeloma, however, excessive plasma cells release unhealthy levels of protein (called immunoglobulin) into the bones and blood. The excessive protein accumulates throughout the body, causing organ damage.
The plasma cells also cause problems inside bones, where they multiply and crowd out normal blood cells. Inside the bone marrow, multiple myeloma plasma cells release chemicals that prompt the body to dissolve areas of bone. This creates weak areas of bone, which are called lytic lesions.
symptoms
As multiple myeloma progresses, plasma cells accumulate in the bones, causing these symptoms:
• Bone pain due to lytic bone disease
• Weakness and fatigue due to anemia
• Weight loss
• Confusion, excessive thirst, constipation due to hypercalcemia
• Kidney problems
• Infections due to non-functioning immunoglobulins.
Medication
To treat multiple myeloma, doctors generally use a combination of chemotherapy and other drugs, which may include:
• Adriamycin (doxorubicin)
• Alkeran (melphalan)
• Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide)
• Oncovin (vincristine)
• Pomalyst (pomalidomide)
• Revlimid (lenalidomide)
• Thalomid (thalidomide)
• Velcade (bortezomib)
Doctors can choose from multiple combinations of chemotherapy drugs. Corticosteroids (such as prednisone or dexamethasone) are often given with chemotherapy, to reduce side effects. Interferon is a hormone-like drug that can help keep multiple myeloma in remission after chemotherapy.