Multiple Myeloma Treatments

Multiple Myeloma Treatments

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the blood that forms in the plasma cells which are used to fight infection. These cancers cells usually multiply in the bone marrow and overcrowd it. The cancer cells are not mature, and therefore they cause some complications because of the abnormal proteins that they produce. Treatment options for multiple myeloma vary depending on its severity. Some people may have multiple myeloma, but it may take time to show and therefore such people do not need treatment. However, for people that are showing symptoms such as fatigue, nausea frequent infections, and constipation, the following are some of the treatment options available:

1. Targeted cancer treatment
This form of treatment has proved effective as it focuses on the abnormalities of the cancer cells. These abnormalities are what make the multiple myeloma cancer cells survive and multiply, and the treatment eradicates them so they cannot thrive. For instance, this treatment ensures the myeloma cells cannot break down proteins, and therefore they die. Some of the drugs used in Targeted Cancer Treatment include bortezomib and carfilzomib.

2. Bone marrow cancer treatment
Multiple myeloma affects the bone marrow, and thus one treatment method is treating the bone marrow. Bone marrow cancer treatment involves the transplant of bone marrow from a person without cancer cells to the affected person. This ensures that any cancer-causing cells are eliminated from the body. The person donating the bone marrow, however, has to be compatible with the patient for the treatment to take effect. After the bone marrow transplant, one needs to undergo chemo to completely eradicate the cancer-causing cells.

3. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the most common type of cancer treatment. It is a rigorous form of treatment that is injected in the body to kill the cancer-causing cells. Chemotherapy usually works by eliminating cancer cells and preventing them from multiplying rapidly. However, cancer cells can always grow back which means one will need more chemotherapy. It can be a stressful form of treatment, and it has a lot of side effects.

4. Cancer immunology
Cancer immunology also known as cancer immunotherapy is also another form of multiple myeloma treatment. It has three main stages that one has to undergo and they include elimination, equilibrium, and escape. It uses the immune system to kill and eliminate cancer cells and maintain homeostasis levels that are normal. This form of treatment is not very common, but it is quickly gaining recognition among many audiences. The immune system is believed to combat the cancer-causing cells.

5. Radiation therapy
This form of treatment uses radiation to damage myeloma cells and inhibit their growth. It usually uses a beam of lights that are used to shrink cancer cells in the region that is affected. For instance, if one has a tumor, the radiation will be focused in that area to reduce the tumor. It has proven effective in reducing the growth of multiple myeloma cells in patients and is an effective treatment method to use.