What is multiple myeloma?
How common in multiple myeloma in Philippines?
Who is at risk for developing multiple myeloma?
Men are more likely to get affected by multiple myeloma than women. In addition, people of advanced age, those with a family history of multiple myeloma and with a greater chance of exposure to toxic chemicals or atomic radiation may get multiple myeloma?
Active types:
- Solitary plasmocytoma – This is a single tumor usually in the bone. Normally treated with radiation and/or surgery.
- Active multiple myeloma – Most aggressive form of the disease. It is clonal and can have many subtypes depending on the mutations present. A FISH analysis or genetic testing can help classify how aggressive your disease is.
How many types of multiple myeloma are there? What does it mean to have active multiple myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is not a single disease. It has inactive and active types. Among active multiple myeloma, we have less aggressive and more aggressive types.
Inactive types:
- Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) – Myeloma cells produce M protein but no symptoms yet.
- Smoldering myeloma (SMM) – Myeloma cells make more M protein than MGUS and have a greater number of abnormal plasma cells. These levels are lower than in active multiple myeloma and the disease progresses slowly.
- What Is Multiple Myeloma? https://www.myelomacrowd.org/myeloma/community/what-is-multiple-myeloma. Accessed 8 Apr. 2022.
- https://gco.iarc.fr/today/data/factsheets/populations/608-philippines-fact-sheets.pdf
- “FAQ.” International Myeloma Foundation, https://www.myeloma.org/myeloma-cancer-questions. Accessed 8 Apr. 2022.
- “Do You Have Myeloma?” International Myeloma Foundation, https://www.myeloma.org/newly-diagnosed/do-you-have-myeloma. Accessed 8 Apr. 2022.
How do I make sense of my myeloma blood test?
Your doctor will order a complete blood count, blood chemistry to look for creatinine, calcium and albumin levels and a test called serum protein electrophoresis which looks for an abnormal protein called the M-protein. Look at the tables below to know if you are within normal ranges, if not you may be exhibiting some signs suggesting a multiple myeloma diagnosis.
| Blood component | Abbreviation | Reference range |
|---|---|---|
| White blood cells | WBC | 4,500-11,000/millimeters cubed (mm3) |
| Red blood cellls | RBC | Male: 4.3-5.9 million/mm3 Female: 3.5-5.5 million/mm3 |
| Platelets | n/a | 150-400 x 199/L |
| Test target | Reference range |
|---|---|
| Creatinine | Age 18-16 Male: 0.9-1.3 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)Female: 0.6-1.1 mg/dL Age 60-90 Male: 0.8-1.3 mg/dLFemale: 0.6-1.2 mg/dL |
| Calcium | 8.6-10.2 mg/dL |
| Albumin | 3.5-5.5 grams per deciliter (mg/dL) |
Is there a cure for multiple myeloma? What is my life expectancy?
Currently there is no cure for multiple myeloma. But many new drugs have been developed which have allowed more people to live longer than before. The 5-year survival statistics is 53.9%. This means nearly half of the people affected by multiple myeloma can live beyond 5 years with the current drugs in the market.
Is multiple myeloma hereditary? Should my family members also get tested?
Although the risk of multiple myeloma increases with a family history of the disease, it is not considered a genetic disease which runs in the family. Currently genetic testing is not performed in families to detect myeloma or its precursor conditions.
- Multiple Myeloma Blood Test: Explanation, How to Prepare. 19 July 2021, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/multiple-myeloma-blood-test
- “What Is Multiple Myeloma? | The MMRF.” Themmrf.Org, https://themmrf.org/multiple-myeloma/. Accessed 7 Apr. 2022.
- “Survival Statistics for Multiple Myeloma | The MMRF.” Themmrf.Org, https://themmrf.org/multiple-myeloma/prognosis/understanding-survival-statistics/. Accessed 8 Apr. 2022.
What is a bone marrow transplant?
Can I follow a normal lifestyle after receiving a bone marrow transplant?
How do I know my treatment is working?
Can I receive complementary and alternative therapies?
- Is Multiple Myeloma Genetic? https://www.myelomacrowd.org/myeloma/community/articles/is-multiple-myeloma-genetic. Accessed 8 Apr. 2022.
- “Stem Cell Transplants for Multiple Myeloma | The MMRF.” Themmrf.Org, https://themmrf.org/multiple-myeloma/treatment-options/stem-cell-transplants/. Accessed 7 Apr. 2022.
- “NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Multiple Myeloma, Version 3.2022: Featured Updates to the NCCN Guidelines.” Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, vol. 20, no. 1, Jan. 2022, pp. 8–19.
- “Frequently Asked Questions about Multiple Myeloma | Hospital Clínic Barcelona.” Clínic Barcelona, https://www.clinicbarcelona.org/en/assistance/diseases/multiple-myeloma/frequently-asked-questions. Accessed 8 Apr. 2022.
- “Multiple Myeloma Diagnosis | The MMRF.” Themmrf.Org, https://themmrf.org/multiple-myeloma/diagnosis/. Accessed 7 Apr. 2022.
- Treating Multiple Myeloma. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/multiple-myeloma/treating.html. Accessed 8 Apr. 2022.
