Understanding Active Multiple Myeloma – Active multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that starts in the bone marrow, the part of your body that produces blood cells. In active multiple myeloma, certain blood cells, specifically plasma cells, grow uncontrollably. These abnormal plasma cells crowd out healthy blood cells, leading to a range of serious health problems. The condition is termed “active” when it starts causing symptoms or complications.
Understanding your diagnosis will help you partner with your doctors to make the best treatment choice for you. Tap “Watch Now” for an easy-to-understand overview of Active Multiple Myeloma for a Transplant Candidate.
- Active Multiple Myeloma Transplant Candidate
- What Tests Will I Need And Why?
Overview
An Active Multiple Myeloma for a Transplant Candidate diagnosis means that your multiple myeloma is actively progressing and the abnormal plasma cells are crowding out the good cells and causing a few key issues:
Bone Damage – These cells can release substances that break down your bones, making them weak or painful.
Low Blood Counts – Since the bad cells take over, your body doesn’t have enough space to make healthy blood cells, so you might feel tired or get sick easily.
High Calcium Levels – Broken-down bones release calcium into your blood, which can cause confusion, thirst, or even kidney problems.
Kidney Trouble – The abnormal cells make harmful proteins that can damage your kidneys.
What Does Transplant Candidate Mean?
A person with multiple myeloma is typically a candidate for a stem cell transplant (also called a bone marrow transplant) if they meet the criteria below:
Younger or Healthy Adult: Age alone isn’t always a strict limit, but candidates are usually younger or in good overall health. This is because the process can be tough on the body.
Have Good Organ Function: The heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver need to be working well to handle the treatment.
Controlled Myeloma: The disease is usually under control with initial treatment (like chemotherapy) before the transplant.
No Serious Health Conditions: People without severe medical problems like uncontrolled infections, major heart issues, or other life-threatening conditions are better candidates.
Able to Handle High-Dose Therapy: Before the transplant, patients receive high-dose chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells. The body must be strong enough to recover from this.
Re-read this summary as needed and then tap, “Compare My Treatment Options Now“. Our unique Comparison Page will help you understand your FDA-approved treatment options including, who can help you pay for your treatment, where and how each is given and what side-effects you may experience.
Cancer.gov
Overview
What Tests Will I Need And Why?
A Multiple Myeloma diagnosis and risk level is determined using a variety of tests to see how advanced the condition is and whether it’s likely to progress. Here’s an overview of the main tests:
Blood Tests:
Complete Blood Count (CBC) checks for low levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets, which can indicate bone marrow issues.
Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPEP) measures the level of abnormal proteins being produced by cancerous plasma cells.
Calcium Levels to determine if bone damage has been caused by multiple myeloma.
Creatinine Levels assess kidney function, which can be affected by multiple myeloma.
Urine Tests: find any abnormal proteins which are produced by abnormal plasma cells.
Bone Marrow Biopsy: primarily used to check the percentage of abnormal plasma cells verses normal plasma cells and to perform genetic testing to look for genetic abnormalities that may be linked to higher risk.
Imaging Tests: An X-ray, MRI and Pet Scan look for any bone damage or active disease.
Re-read this summary as needed and then tap, “Compare My Treatment Options Now“. Our unique Comparison Page will help you understand your FDA-approved treatment options where and how each is given and what side-effects you may experience.
Replay this Audio as often as needed and then take a look at our Commonly Searched Questions below.
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Commonly Searched Questions
Active Multiple Myeloma Survival Rate
The survival rate for active multiple myeloma can vary widely based on several factors, including the stage at diagnosis, the patient’s overall health, response to treatment, and specific characteristics of the disease. On average, the 5-year survival rate for people with multiple myeloma is approximately 54%. However, survival rates have improved in recent years due to advances in treatments such as immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and stem cell transplants, which have helped many patients live longer. Survival rates are higher for individuals who respond well to treatment and for those diagnosed at an earlier stage. Because multiple myeloma often recurs, ongoing treatment and monitoring are necessary to manage the disease.
Cancer.org
Active Multiple Myeloma Prevention
There is no known way to prevent active multiple myeloma. The exact cause of multiple myeloma is unclear, and while certain risk factors, such as age, family history, and previous exposure to certain chemicals or radiation, can increase the likelihood of developing the disease, it is not possible to prevent it entirely. However, maintaining overall health by avoiding known risk factors (e.g., excessive chemical exposure, smoking) and staying informed about your health may help with early detection. Regular check-ups and monitoring for individuals at higher risk can also aid in identifying the disease in its earlier, more treatable stages.
Cancer.org
Active Multiple Myeloma Treatment
The treatment for active multiple myeloma typically involves a combination of therapies aimed at controlling the disease, managing symptoms, and improving quality of life. Common treatment options include:
- Chemotherapy: To target and kill myeloma cells.
- Targeted therapy: Drugs that target specific molecules involved in the growth and survival of myeloma cells.
- Immunotherapy: Treatments that stimulate the immune system to attack myeloma cells.
- Stem cell transplant: A procedure to replace damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells, often used after initial treatment to help extend remission.
- Corticosteroids: Used to reduce inflammation and help control myeloma cell growth.
Treatment plans are tailored to the individual and may involve a combination of these therapies. The goal is to control the disease, manage symptoms like pain or kidney problems, and delay relapse.
Cancer.org
Active Multiple Myeloma Symptoms
Active multiple myeloma can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
- Bone pain, particularly in the back, hips, or ribs, due to bone damage or fractures.
- Fatigue and weakness from anemia, which occurs when the bone marrow is unable to produce enough healthy red blood cells.
- Frequent infections caused by a weakened immune system due to the abnormal plasma cells.
- Kidney problems or kidney failure, as the abnormal proteins produced by the myeloma cells can damage the kidneys.
- Numbness or weakness in the legs, or other neurological symptoms, due to spinal cord compression from bone damage.
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These symptoms arise as the disease progresses and affects the body’s organs and tissues. Treatment typically focuses on managing these symptoms and slowing the progression of the disease.
Cancer.org
Active Multiple Myeloma Definition
Active multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer where abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow grow uncontrollably and produce high levels of monoclonal protein (M-protein), which can cause damage to organs, such as the kidneys, and lead to symptoms like bone pain, fatigue, frequent infections, and weakness. Unlike smoldering multiple myeloma, which is asymptomatic, active myeloma is characterized by the presence of symptoms and can affect the body’s ability to produce healthy blood cells, leading to complications like anemia and kidney failure.
Cancer.org
Active Multiple Myeloma Recurrence Rate
Active multiple myeloma is a chronic, relapsing disease, and it often recurs after treatment. While the recurrence rate can vary based on individual factors, treatment response, and the specific characteristics of the disease, most people with multiple myeloma will experience a relapse at some point. The recurrence rate can be influenced by factors such as the patient’s age, overall health, and the specific treatments used. New therapies have improved outcomes, and many patients can live for years with multiple myeloma, although it typically remains an incurable condition. The recurrence and progression of the disease are closely monitored, with treatments adjusted to manage relapses and maintain quality of life.
Cancer.org
