DIAGNOSIS
Your doctor will obtain a complete medical history and physical exam. Tests may include the following:
- Complete blood count
- Chemistry profile including albumin, calcium, L-lactate dehydrogenase, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine
- Beta2-microglobulin level
- Antibody levels and antibody type
- Serum protein electrophoresis
- Immunofixation electrophoresis
- Free light chain assay in serum
- Urinalysis
- 24-hour urine protein level
- Urine protein electrophoresis
- Imaging studies such as bone (skeletal) survey, X-ray, MRI, CT, and PET
- Bone marrow biopsy or bone marrow aspiration
- Cytogenetic analysis
TREATMENT
Standard treatment choices include:
Targeted therapy
Targeted treatment centers around abnormalities inside cancer cells that enable them to survive. Bortezomib, carfilzomib and ixazomib are drugs that hinder the activity of a substance in myeloma cells that separates proteins. This activity makes myeloma cells die.
Other targeted treatments are monoclonal antibodies that attach to proteins present on myeloma cells, making them die.
Biological therapy
Biological treatment drugs strengthen your body’s immune system to fight against melanoma. The medications thalidomide, lenalidomide and pomalidomide upgrade the immune system cells that recognize and assault cancer cells. They are usually taken orally.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy drugs can destroy cancer cells, including myeloma cells. Chemotherapy medications can be given through a vein in your arm or taken by the mouth. Chemotherapy drugs are given at high doses before bone marrow transplantation.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids can control inflammation in the body. Examples are prednisone and dexamethasone. They can also treat myeloma. Corticosteroids can be taken by the mouth or given through a vein in your arm.
Bone marrow transplant
A bone marrow transplant is a method to supplant your unhealthy bone marrow with healthy bone marrow.
Radiation therapy
X-rays and protons are used to kill myeloma tumor cells. Radiation treatment might be utilized to rapidly shrivel myeloma cells in a region.