Multiple Myeloma

Bisphosphonates are used to help bones stay strong by slowing down the rate at which they are being dissolved by myeloma cells.

Chemotherapy is a medication or combination of medications used to treat cancer. Chemotherapy can be given orally (as a pill) or injected intravenously (IV).

Surgery is not commonly used to treat multiple myeloma. However, surgery may become necessary if the spinal cord is pinched. It can also be used to attach metal rods or plates to support weight-bearing bones and to treat existing fractures and prevent future ones.

Radiation uses special equipment to deliver high-energy particles, such as x-rays, gamma rays, electron beams or protons, to kill or damage cancer cells. Radiation can be delivered internally through seed implantation or externally using linear accelerators.

A stem cell transplant is a procedure that uses stem cells to replace blood cells in the bone marrow that have been damaged or destroyed by chemotherapy, radiation or disease. For patients receiving a stem cell transplant, the first step is to lower the amount of cancer present in the patient’s body by induction treatment. After induction treatment, stem cells are harvested from the patient’s blood or bone marrow. Once harvested, the cells are frozen. After the stem cells have been removed, the patient receives high-dose chemotherapy to kill any leftover myeloma cells. The treatment also kills all of the remaining normal bone marrow cells. The frozen stem cells are then thawed and given back to the patient through an intravenous line in a process similar to a blood transfusion. The stem cells travel to the bone marrow where they begin to make new blood cells.

Patients with early-stage myeloma (either smoldering or Stage I) who choose watchful waiting will be closely monitored but won't receive treatment until symptoms of the disease either appear or change.