Myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells that resides in the bone marrow, and typically it does not disappear without treatment. However, some cases of myeloma may spontaneously regress, which means that some people can experience a remission of their cancer without follow-up care or treatment.
This spontaneous remission is very unusual, and occurs in only a small percentage of people with myeloma.
Studies suggest that the risk of spontaneous remission is higher in people with certain cancer subtypes, such as immunoglobulin light chain myeloma. People who experience spontaneous remission typically have a slower-growing form of the cancer, with fewer symptoms and a longer life expectancy.
Though it can be difficult to predict which patients will experience spontaneous remission, there are some steps that can be taken to improve the chances of success. For example, adopting a healthy lifestyle, with a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, may be beneficial.
Exercise, stress management techniques, and adequate sleep can also have beneficial effects.
Ultimately, it is important to seek professional medical advice when dealing with myeloma. While spontaneous remissions can be possible, seeking early and ongoing treatment is essential for the best possible outcome.
Can multiple myeloma go away on its own?
No, multiple myeloma is a serious and incurable blood cancer. It is not something that goes away on its own. While it is considered to be a chronic and incurable cancer, there are treatments that can help extend and enhance the patient’s quality of life.
These treatments can include chemotherapy, radiation, stem cell transplants, or other types of biologic treatments such as monoclonal antibody therapy. Through these treatments, patients can often achieve long-term remissions and have a better prognosis.
It is important to work closely with your healthcare team to determine the best treatment plan for your situation.
How do you help someone with myeloma?
Helping someone who has been diagnosed with myeloma can be both emotionally and physically challenging. It is important to provide emotional support and keep in mind that everyone experiences cancer differently.
Additionally, it is important to provide practical support such as accompanying the person to doctor’s appointments, helping with grocery shopping and housekeeping, and providing transportation to treatments and activities.
It is also important to talk to the person about his/her specific needs and circumstances, as this will help you understand how best to help him/her.
Some helpful activities can include researching the condition and treatments, helping to plan meals, acting as a listening ear and source of comfort when needed, educating yourself about the illness and its impact on lifestyle, and helping the person to keep up social activities and hobbies he/she enjoys.
Additionally, it is important to encourage the person to make health-related decisions for themselves including decisions about their medical treatment.
It can also be helpful to provide physical assistance such as helping with dressing and mobility needs, preparing meals, accompanying them to their appointments, and helping with exercising options. Finally, it is important to take care of your own needs and be sure to get enough rest and practice self-care in order to keep up your own strength and better be able to help the person you are supporting.
How long can myeloma go untreated?
Myeloma is a type of cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow that typically worsens over time, so the longer it goes untreated, the more damage it is likely to cause. The length of time that one can go without treatment is largely dependent on the individual, their type of myeloma, and the other factors that may play a role in its progression.
In some cases, myeloma may not cause any symptoms despite becoming more active and can be discovered as an incidental finding during blood work or X-rays. In certain cases, myeloma may go untreated for several years before treatment becomes necessary due to its slow growth.
Most individuals, however, will need to begin treatment in order to manage and stop the progression of the disease. Treatment will typically involve chemotherapy and other medication, as well as lifestyle modification and lifestyle management.
Treatment can help to prevent further damage and prolong life, so it is important to seek medical advice as soon as possible if you have any concerning symptoms or are worried that you may have myeloma.
What if I don’t treat my multiple myeloma?
If you do not treat your multiple myeloma, the cancer cells can continue to spread throughout your body, and they can cause serious damage to your bones, your organs, and other parts of your body. Over time, untreated multiple myeloma can become harder to treat and can be fatal.
Even if the cancer is not causing any symptoms, it is important to speak to your doctor about treatments that could slow the progression of the disease and improve your quality of life. Treatments may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biologic therapies, and stem cell transplants.
In some cases, surgery can be used to relieve symptoms or reduce tumor size.
Your doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes or other treatments to help manage your symptoms or side effects, such as changes to your diet and exercise habits, relaxation techniques, or medications for pain.
Without treatment, multiple myeloma can worsen and lead to life-threatening complications. It is important to talk to your doctor to formulate the best treatment plan for your needs.
Can you treat myeloma without chemo?
Yes, it is possible to treat myeloma without chemotherapy. Some of the treatment options available for myeloma not involving chemotherapy include targeted therapies, radiation therapy, surgery, high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation, and novel immunotherapy.
Targeted therapies target certain genes involved in cancer cell growth. This can work in some cases. Radiation therapy can target and destroy cancer cells, but has very few side effects. Surgery can also be an option, depending on the location, extent, and size of the tumor.
High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation involves using high doses of chemotherapy drugs to destroy myeloma cells and then using the patient’s own stem cells to help rebuild their immune system.
Novel immunotherapy uses drugs to stimulate the patient’s own immune system to be able to fight off the cancer cells.
Depending on the extent and type of myeloma, some patients may do just as well without chemotherapy. A doctor can advise the patient on their best treatment options.
Can you live a normal life with myeloma?
Yes, it is possible to live a normal life with myeloma. Of course, as with any medical condition, each individual’s case is unique and the amount of treatment needed in order to manage the condition will vary.
With proper treatment and management, many people with myeloma are able to live relatively normal lives.
Myeloma commonly responds well to treatments such as stem cell transplant, chemotherapy, and medications, allowing those diagnosed with it to manage the condition and its effects. Depending on the type and severity of each individual’s myeloma, they might require more intensive treatments like stem cell transplants or radiation therapy.
In some cases, even without treatment, the effects of myeloma may not be severe or debilitating enough to significantly interfere with a person’s ability to go about their daily routine.
However, it’s important for people with myeloma to be conscious of their condition and individual needs. Many times, people with myeloma may require monitoring and follow-up to properly manage the condition and its treatment.
Regular communication with the doctor and other healthcare providers is important to ensure that the necessary steps are being taken to support a long and healthy life. Additionally, people with myeloma should make sure to receive regular screenings to monitor their condition and get the financial and emotional support they need.
In sum, with proper care, support, and treatment, those with myeloma can still lead normal and fulfilling lives.
How quickly does myeloma progress?
The rate of progression for myeloma can vary widely from person to person, as no two cases of myeloma are the same. Some people may go several years without developing any symptoms. In other cases, myeloma may progress faster, depending on the specific type of myeloma they have, as well as their age and the response to treatment.
Myeloma can be classified into either smoldering or active disease. Smoldering myeloma is considered when there is evidence of clonal proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow, with no other signs yet appearing.
Active myeloma is diagnosed when one or more organ systems is affected (such as bone, bone marrow, blood, kidney, or spinal cord).
The American Cancer Society cites that myeloma usually progresses slowly. In some cases, it can take over two years for a person to develop symptoms of active myeloma. They also note that active myeloma can be divided into four categories: asymptomatic (no signs and/or symptoms), indolent (slow-growing), aggressive (fast-growing), and transitional (intermediate).
Those with a slow or indolent form of myeloma may only require occasional treatment and close observation over several years. Those with an aggressive form of myeloma may require more frequent treatment, to manage symptoms and help slow progression.
In general, if myeloma is found in its early stages and is treated promptly, the progression can be slowed down. It’s important to discuss treatment options with your health care team and make informed decisions on the best course of action.
What are the late stages of myeloma?
The late stages of myeloma are referred to as end-stage myeloma. At this point, the cancer has usually progressed and become more aggressive, making it difficult to treat. Symptoms that may be present during this stage of myeloma include extreme fatigue, persistent uncontrolled infections, an increasing amount of pain throughout the body, increased bone fractures, difficulty in performing everyday activities, and an overall decreased quality of life.
During this stage, the primary goal is symptom management and keeping the patient as comfortable as possible. Treatment options at this stage include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, stem cell transplants, and medications to help reduce symptoms.
It is important that patients and their families seek the support of a healthcare team including oncologists and other medical professionals to ensure they receive the best care possible and to provide emotional support.
Can you have multiple myeloma for years and not know it?
Yes, it is possible to have multiple myeloma for years and not know it. Myeloma is an often silent disease in its early stages, meaning it can be present for an extended period of time before any symptoms begin to develop.
Symptoms of myeloma may be vague and can include general fatigue, bone aches or pain, fever, weight loss, frequent infections, and anemia.
These symptoms may not be recognized as being related to myeloma, and can be attributed to other medical conditions. Additionally, people may not think to connect bone pain or general fatigue to myeloma, and may not seek medical attention for these symptoms.
As a result, myeloma can be present for several years before it is diagnosed.
If you have any of the symptoms associated with myeloma, or have had them for a prolonged period of time, it is important to speak with your physician so they can determine the cause and provide you with the necessary treatment.
What is the most frequent cause of death in a patient with multiple myeloma?
The most frequent cause of death in a patient with multiple myeloma is infection, specifically, pneumonia. Pneumonia is a common complication of multiple myeloma because the disease weakens the immune system, making the patient more vulnerable to infections.
In addition, side effects of multiple myeloma treatment, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, can also make someone more susceptible to infection. Other causes of death in a patient with multiple myeloma include heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and liver failure.
Additionally, multiple myeloma can spread to other organs of the body, including the bones of the spine and skull, which can cause compression of the spinal cord and lead to paralysis, loss of sensation, and/or death.
Does myeloma go into remission?
Myeloma can go into remission, however, the remission is only temporary, so regular checkups and monitoring are important. Myeloma, like many cancers, can come back even after a period of remission. This process is known as relapse.
While remission rates vary, studies suggest that the overall rate of remission for myeloma is approximately 40%. This depends on a variety of factors, such as the type and extent of treatment, type of myeloma, age, and overall health.
When someone is in remission, it means that the signs and symptoms of their myeloma have improved and the cancer has stopped progressing. This could mean that the myeloma cells may have been largely destroyed or are no longer growing.
However, some myeloma cells may still be present, so the myeloma could come back.
It is important to talk to your doctor if you think you may be in remission to determine what kind of monitoring is needed. If your myeloma does come back, your doctor may suggest different treatment or adjustments to your treatment plan to help keep the disease under control.
How long does multiple myeloma stay in remission?
The answer to this question depends on the individual and their treatment. Typically, multiple myeloma is considered to be in remission if the cancer cells are not detectable in a person’s blood or bone marrow.
Remission periods can vary greatly and depend on the person’s response to treatment, type of treatment they receive, and overall health. According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, some people with multiple myeloma may remain in remission for several months to several years.
Other people may achieve long-term remission for several decades. Generally, the longer a person stays in remission, the better their prognosis. As with any type of cancer, it is important for individuals with multiple myeloma to follow their treatment plan and receive regular follow-up care from their healthcare team.
What is considered remission in multiple myeloma?
Remission in multiple myeloma is when the cancer cells are decreased or disappear as a result of treatment, which often involves a combination of chemotherapy drugs and medicines that target specific cancer proteins.
Remission can be partial (some cancer cells remain in the body), or it can be complete (no cancer cells remain in the body). In order for remission to be declared, the multiple myeloma must show no signs of progression or spread, no abnormal proteins in the blood, and normal blood and urine levels.
Other criteria for remission may include normal or near-normal levels of hemoglobin and platelet counts, as well as the absence of any active myeloma cell collections in the body such as those near the spine or other bones, in the lymph nodes, or in the abdomen.
Does multiple myeloma always return?
Unfortunately, multiple myeloma often returns even after successful treatment. The myeloma may come back as early as a few months after treatment or it may return after several years. Currently, there is no way to predict if or when multiple myeloma will return, although some genetic biomarkers may offer clues.
While remission may be achieved with multiple myeloma, the average duration of remission is two to three years. There is a risk that the cancer cells may eventually become resistant to the drugs that were initially used to achieve remission.
This is why doctors work with their patients to create ongoing maintenance plans with regular monitoring and follow-up care.
