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Chemotherapy, which uses drugs to kill malignant cells, is typically given to induce disease remission. Chemotherapy can lessen many of the symptoms of the disease, such as anemia, bone damage, hypercalcemia and elevated protein in the blood and urine.
Radiation therapy may be used either alone or in conjunction with chemotherapy to treat a localized area where there is bone damage. When the patient cannot tolerate the chemotherapy, radiation may be used alone with fewer side effects.
Bone marrow transplant (BMT) and peripheral blood stem cell transplant (PBSCT) are treatments in clinical trials.
BMT involves destroying all of the patient’s bone marrow with high doses of chemotherapy to kill as close to all of the malignant myeloma cells as possible. A marrow transplant or PBSCT with healthy cells replaces the destroyed marrow.
In an allogeneic transplant, the transplant marrow is drawn from a genetically matched donor. This procedure is only available to the small percentage of patients who are under age 55, have a matched donor and demonstrate adequate physical health.
In an autologous transplant, the bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells are removed from a patient’s bone. However, it is unclear whether all the myeloma cells in the bone marrow can be destroyed.
Alpha interferon, a drug taken by injection, may be effective in limiting malignant cell growth. Researchers believe that alpha interferon may prolong the remission achieved by other therapies.
Supportive therapy involves treatments to alleviate the symptoms caused by the disease. For instance, the drug erythropoietin is given to treat persistent anemia, while antibiotic therapy is given to treat resultant infections. Researchers are investigating the efficacy of using antibiotics prophylactically to prevent recurrent infection. Bisphosphonates such as Aredia are recommended to inhibit the bone destruction and improve bone density and strength. A broad range of medications and strategies are used to relieve pain.
Current Treatments
Overall, treatment is intended to help the patient live longer, with a better quality of life. The goals of treatment are to address specific problems caused by the disease and to slow its progression.Chemotherapy, which uses drugs to kill malignant cells, is typically given to induce disease remission. Chemotherapy can lessen many of the symptoms of the disease, such as anemia, bone damage, hypercalcemia and elevated protein in the blood and urine.
Radiation therapy may be used either alone or in conjunction with chemotherapy to treat a localized area where there is bone damage. When the patient cannot tolerate the chemotherapy, radiation may be used alone with fewer side effects.
Bone marrow transplant (BMT) and peripheral blood stem cell transplant (PBSCT) are treatments in clinical trials.
BMT involves destroying all of the patient’s bone marrow with high doses of chemotherapy to kill as close to all of the malignant myeloma cells as possible. A marrow transplant or PBSCT with healthy cells replaces the destroyed marrow.
In an allogeneic transplant, the transplant marrow is drawn from a genetically matched donor. This procedure is only available to the small percentage of patients who are under age 55, have a matched donor and demonstrate adequate physical health.
In an autologous transplant, the bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells are removed from a patient’s bone. However, it is unclear whether all the myeloma cells in the bone marrow can be destroyed.
Alpha interferon, a drug taken by injection, may be effective in limiting malignant cell growth. Researchers believe that alpha interferon may prolong the remission achieved by other therapies.
Supportive therapy involves treatments to alleviate the symptoms caused by the disease. For instance, the drug erythropoietin is given to treat persistent anemia, while antibiotic therapy is given to treat resultant infections. Researchers are investigating the efficacy of using antibiotics prophylactically to prevent recurrent infection. Bisphosphonates such as Aredia are recommended to inhibit the bone destruction and improve bone density and strength. A broad range of medications and strategies are used to relieve pain.