Unfortunately, multiple myeloma cannot currently be cured. While there have been great advances in medical treatments for the disease, it is still considered incurable. The medical community has made big strides in offering treatments that can extend and improve the quality of life for those living with multiple myeloma, and the goal is to maintain remission for as long as possible, but a complete cure is yet out of reach.
Comprehensive treatment options, such as chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, and medications, have been successful in providing long-term remission for some patients who have been diagnosed with multiple myeloma.
However, even with treatment, the disease can come back, as it is considered a chronic, long-term condition. Additionally, treatments are not always successful, and relapse is still very possible.
The main challenge in treating multiple myeloma, and why a cure is not yet available, is that the disease is complex and relatively unpredictable. Even with a very comprehensive treatment plan, there is no guarantee of a cure, as the disease is known to frequently recur, sometimes due to the emergence of drug-resistant mutations.
Finally, the treatments themselves can cause side effects, such as fatigue and digestive problems, which can be difficult or impossible to manage.
Despite the lack of a cure currently, there are still treatments available to help those living with multiple myeloma to have a better life. With ongoing research and development, scientists are making progress in finding a cure for the disease.
How do people cope with multiple myeloma?
People coping with multiple myeloma often face physical and emotional challenges. To manage the condition, there are many approaches and strategies you can try.
First, when it comes to physical health, it is important to stay as active and healthy as possible. Talk to your doctor about what exercises and activities would be suitable for you, such as yoga or tai chi.
Eating a balanced diet with foods that are high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants may also help to boost your health.
It is also important to Stay informed and keep track of any changes in your condition. People with multiple myeloma should keep their healthcare provider informed about any symptoms, side effects, and changes in their condition.
Keeping a journal can be useful to remember any conversations with a doctor and to note any changes in your health.
Emotional support is also essential. Connecting with others who have multiple myeloma can be a great source of relief. Whether online or in person, talking to other people who understand your condition can be very helpful.
connecting with a therapist or other mental health professional can also help you cope with and manage any anxiety or stress.
It is also important to take time for yourself and focus on what you enjoy. Stress can make your symptoms worse, and setting aside time for relaxation and self-care can improve your overall well-being.
Living with an illness, such as multiple myeloma, can be challenging. But, as with any condition, there are strategies and techniques you can use to cope and manage. Staying informed and connected with your doctor, forming a support network, and setting aside time to focus on things that make you feel good can improve your quality of life.
Why isn’t there a cure for multiple myeloma?
At present, there is no cure for multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that involves the overproduction of malignant plasma cells within the body’s bone marrow. This cancer is incurable because it is difficult to completely eliminate the disease.
Even when the cancer is brought into remission, the malignant plasma cells can linger in a dormant state and can eventually re-emerge and cause the cancer to come back. Ultimately, this makes it difficult to find a definitive cure for the disease.
Researchers are, however, doing their best to find a cure for multiple myeloma. There are a variety of treatments available for those suffering from the disease, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplants, and newer treatments such as monoclonal antibody therapy.
While these treatments have been effective in treating the disease and providing relief, they have not yet been able to provide a cure. As research continues, scientists and medical professionals remain hopeful that a real cure can one day be found and many people living with multiple myeloma can finally see some relief.
Does myeloma ever go into remission?
Yes, myeloma can go into remission. Remission means there are no signs of the disease, either from tests or from physical exams. While myeloma may go into remission, it is not typically a cure and most patients will eventually relapse.
In the majority of cases, myeloma involves periods of remission and relapse. When myeloma does go into remission, it may do so after treatment with chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of the two.
In some rare cases, myeloma may go into remission spontaneously, but this is not common.
At times, myeloma may respond to treatment and appear to be in remission. However, there may still be some cancer cells present, which is known as a “minimal residual disease”. This means that while a person appears to be in remission, they may not stay in remission indefinitely – although the disease can remain stable for an extended period of time.
If myeloma does go into remission, the treatments used to get the myeloma under control are typically not stopped immediately. Doctors may continue treatment for a predetermined amount of time to further reduce the number of cancer cells and prevent recurrence.
In addition, patients may need to take medications to help improve the immune system and help reduce the risk of recurrence.
Ultimately, remission from myeloma is a sign that treatments are working, and it provides the patient with a much-needed emotional boost. Myeloma is rarely curable and patients may have ongoing treatments and monitored care, but the goal is always to achieve a comfortable remission.
How fast does myeloma progress?
The speed at which multiple myeloma progresses can vary largely from patient to patient. Although the disease can be slow-growth, it is typically a fast-growing cancer and is considered to be an aggressive form of cancer due to the fact that it advances quickly and cancerous cells can spread to other areas of the body.
Depending on the type of myeloma present and the individual’s overall health, the rate of progression can range from very slow to very rapid, with the tumors forming in a few months to multiple years.
In general, each patient will experience a different rate of progression based on factors such as the type of myeloma, the number and location of tumor cells, the age and overall health of the patient, the patient’s lifestyle habits, and how well the cancer is responding to treatments.
Some cancers may progress quite quickly and the treatments might not be able to keep up. It is important for the patient to work closely with their doctor to accurately monitor the rate of progression and adapt their treatment plan to keep the cancer under control.
Can you go into remission with multiple myeloma?
Yes, it is possible to go into remission with multiple myeloma. Although not curable, multiple myeloma can be treated with medication, radiation, or bone marrow transplantation. People with multiple myeloma can achieve remission either partially or completely.
Remission occurs when the cancer cells reduce or disappear, which can last for a period of weeks or months, or can even be maintained for years. For some people with multiple myeloma, remission may be achieved with chemotherapy, but many will require combination therapies or other treatments.
It is important to work closely with medical professionals to find a treatment plan that’s right for you. Some possible treatments include immunotherapies, targeted therapies, and medications to reduce pain and other symptoms.
In some cases, bone marrow transplants are used to put the condition in remission, or maintain the remission for longer periods of time. However, remission for multiple myeloma is not permanent and there is no guarantee of how long it may last.
It is important to take the necessary steps to manage the condition, including following up with your doctor regularly and getting regular screenings.
Can multiple myeloma go away on its own?
No, multiple myeloma cannot go away on its own. Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects plasma cells, which are a type of white blood cell. Multiple myeloma is considered incurable, but it can be managed through a combination of treatments such as stem cell transplants, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and other medications.
Multiple myeloma does not typically go away on its own and can worsen with time if left untreated, so it is important to speak with your doctor about treatment options if you are experiencing any symptoms.
How long will multiple myeloma stay in remission?
Multiple myeloma can stay in remission for different lengths of time depending on the individual. Multiple myeloma is considered to be in remission if cancer cells cannot be detected in the bone marrow and in other parts of the body.
However, this does not necessarily mean that it is cured. Generally, multiple myeloma will remain in remission for longer in people who have undergone aggressive treatment with multiple myeloma drugs.
In many cases, multiple myeloma will come out of remission (also called relapsed) within a few years. The risk of relapse is higher for patients who do not respond at all to treatment and for those who have more advanced stages of the disease.
The average length of remission in multiple myeloma is approximately three to five years, depending on how it is treated. The average survival time for someone with multiple myeloma is 4. 4 years for those diagnosed with stage 3 / 4 and 8.
7 years for those diagnosed with stage 1 or 2. It is possible to remain in remission for longer than five years with effective treatment, so long-term remission may be a possibility for some patients.
How do you help someone with myeloma?
Helping someone with myeloma requires providing them with comprehensive, supportive care. This includes offering emotional and practical support as they navigate the challenges of a myeloma diagnosis, treatment and living with the condition.
Emotional and practical support for someone with myeloma is tailored to their individual needs and can involve a family member, friend, healthcare team or local support group.
Suggestions for emotional support may include listening, encouraging positive self-talk, providing emotional validation, offering optimism and staying informed about advancements in treatments. Practical support may include running errands, helping to arrange transportation and providing financial assistance, if necessary.
It’s also important to ensure a person with myeloma gets adequate rest and has help managing their day-to-day activities, such as shopping and light housework. Make sure the person has help preparing healthy meals and is taking their medications as prescribed.
Additionally, physical activity and a healthy diet can help to improve the individual’s overall quality of life.
Partnering with the healthcare team and understanding the myeloma diagnosis and treatment can help to provide a better overall support system for the individual. It’s essential for the patient to be an active part of their care and discuss any concerns they have with their healthcare team.
What is the life expectancy of a myeloma patient?
The life expectancy for a myeloma patient can vary greatly depending on the stage at diagnosis, the overall health of the patient, and how well the person responds to treatment. Generally, the 5-year survival rate for myeloma patients diagnosed at stage III or earlier is 50-60%, however survival rates are lower for patients who are diagnosed at more advanced stages.
Treatment advances have also improved overall outcomes, and a study published in the British Medical Journal in 2020 showed that the 10-year overall survival rate of myeloma patients had risen to 34%.
To give a more nuanced answer to the question, patients who are eligible for certain therapies such as autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) tend to have the best outcomes. For example, one single-institution study showed that patients who underwent ASCT had a median overall survival of more than 10 years and a 5-year overall survival rate of 70%.
For patients who are not eligible for ASCT, the median overall survival is much lower, typically ranging from two to five years.
It is also important to understand that each patient’s experience may be unique and complex. Treatment or lifestyle decisions, such as dietary modifications or stress-reduction techniques, may play an important role in helping you manage myeloma and improve overall life expectancy.
Therefore it is important to work with your health care team to help you make decisions that are best for your individual needs and goals.