Multiple Myeloma Treatment

In recent years much progress has been made in the field of multiple myeloma. Innovations have made it possible to control this disease in many patients without the need for chemotherapy.

The most effective treatment for multiple myeloma consists of a combination of drugs administered in monthly cycles, in what is called the induction phase. Treatment will be different depending on whether patients are younger or older than 65-70 years of age. In patients younger than this age, an autologous transplant is required after induction to achieve the best results.

In addition to antitumor treatment, patients must receive treatment and preventive measures for the main complications of the disease.

Bone complications of multiple myeloma

Bone pain is one of the worst problems of multiple myeloma. Analgesics of increasing intensity should be used until it is eliminated. In the most severe cases, radiotherapy is very useful.

The most important bone complications of multiple myeloma are fractures, since the bone is difficult to heal when it is diseased. In many cases it is necessary to use orthopedic devices. Therefore, it is important to prevent osteoporosis, bone involvement and fractures.

It is advisable to maintain a gentle but continuous physical activity and to avoid prolonged bed rest.

In addition, hypercalcemia can also occur, i.e. excessive calcium leaking from the bone into the blood. This can lead to vomiting, constipation, dehydration and acute renal failure; and can be prevented by maintaining good hydration and continued bisphosphonate therapy.

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Neurological Complications of Multiple Myeloma

Compression of the spinal cord due to vertebral crushing or accumulation of plasma cells can occur abruptly and constitute a medical emergency. The symptoms are: intense pain in the back, loss of strength and sensitivity with irradiation and discomfort in the legs (cramps, pins and needles, weakness, etc.).

Specialized and team treatment of multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma is one of the most complicated hematological diseases to treat, so it is difficult to make a general diagnosis. In addition, there are factors that indicate it, such as genetic studies, age and response to treatment.

What is clear is that it is essential that the patient is placed in the hands of a specialist in Hematology with experience in the treatment of multiple myeloma and in a center that offers multidisciplinary care by other specialties, necessary to support the treatment: Pain Unit, Traumatology, Physiotherapy, Radiotherapy, etc…

In the case of indolent myelomas, the diagnosis is of many years of survival, although there are cases that have to be treated as symptomatic myelomas. In the rest of the cases, the early establishment of an initial treatment with schemes of new combined agents achieves a response in more than 80% of the cases.