Multiple myeloma is a cancer type that forms in plasma cells. In this condition, malignant cells accumulate and produce abnormal antibodies in the bone marrow. It can cause tumors, bone destruction, severe kidney damage, and defected immune systems.
While there is no cure available to eliminate this disease, the rapid advancement of medical science has made it manageable. Some treatments and multiple myeloma medications have proven to be successful in slowing the progression of this cancer and stabilizing the patient’s condition.
Multiple myeloma treatment options
If you are diagnosed with multiple myeloma but are not showing any symptoms, you might not need any treatment. However, if you do experience symptoms, consult your doctor so that you can begin with the treatment by choosing from these options:
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy drugs destroy cancer cells including myeloma. These drugs are either given by mouth or injected in the body through a vein in your arm. Some chemotherapy drugs can cause permanent damage to your organs such as your heart or kidneys.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids regulate the functioning of the immune system by controlling inflammation. Corticosteroids like dexamethasone and prednisone work actively against myeloma cells and can be taken in a pill form or an injection. These drugs are either used alone or in combination to treat multiple myeloma patients.
Biological therapy
This is a form of treatment that includes the administration of drugs that incite a biological reaction in your immune system and help it to fight malignant cells.
List of multiple myeloma medications in biological therapy consists of:
Thalidomide: It is an immunomodulating and anti-angiogenesis agent that prevents tumor cells from making blood vessels necessary for their survival. It is commonly given in combination with dexamethasone to treat multiple myeloma.
Pomalidomide: This drug is used as a maintenance therapy to help the disease respond better to the previous therapy or after a bone marrow transplant. Pomalidomide 4 mg capsules must be taken once daily with dexamethasone.
Lenalidomide: Similar to thalidomide, it is a stronger immunomodulatory agent and given to patients who are not responding to other myeloma treatment. Lenalidomide 10 mg capsules can also be used in the treatment of myelodysplastic diseases.
Targeted therapy
This treatment attacks the protein in cancer cells that signal them to divide and grow. These drugs directly affect tumor cells without doing any harm to normal cells.
Bortezomib: It is a proteasome inhibitor used in multiple myeloma patients who have or have not received any therapy in the past. This drug is injected into the body and works best when combined with other cancer medications.
Carfilzomib: This is a new kind of proteasome inhibitor that is specifically used in patients that did not respond to any other medication. Carfilzomib injection is given once or twice a week in the vein on your arm.
Ixazomib: This drug comes in the form of capsules that can be taken once a day continuously for three weeks in a month.
Bone marrow transplant
Also known as stem cell transplant, this treatment involves replacing the unhealthy bone marrow with a healthy one. The doctor collects healthy stem cells from the patient’s blood before the treatment begins. Chemotherapy drugs are used to attack the unhealthy bone marrow and then your healthy stem cells are infused in your blood so that they can travel to the bone and rebuild the bone marrow.
Possible Side Effects of Multiple Myeloma Treatment:
Treatment of multiple myeloma fights against your cancer and can save your life. The MM treatment can also be responsible for giving you adverse reactions that are difficult to take, like feeling extremely tired or throwing up.
You might not get these problems or other ones. But in case you do, report to your healthcare practitioner. Your healthcare practitioner can help you find ways in order to feel good while you are on your treatment.
Chemotherapy, radiation, and certain other cancer treatments help in destroying cancer cells, but these treatments can also damage the healthy ones in the process. Others turn your immune system a bit weak, which makes it tough for your body in order to fight against infections.
Most individuals who receive treatment for multiple myeloma will experience certain common adverse reactions. Even in case you can’t prevent them, you can try a few things in order to seek some relief. Often, the adverse reactions go away once your treatment is over.
Anemia
Appetite Changes
Bleeding
Blood Clots
Bone Weakness
Dental Problems
Fatigue
Graft vs. Host Disease
Hair Loss
Infections
Mood/Emotion Changes
Mouth Sores
Neuropathy
Sleep Problems
Pain
Stomach Problems
NOTE: The piece of information mentioned about "Multiple Myeloma: What Are the Available Treatment Options" in this article is just for informational purposes and is not served as a substitute for the medical treatment, consultation, diagnosis of an experienced or qualified healthcare professional.
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