Among various types of cancers, multiple myeloma is one rare form that affects the blood and white blood cells. This is also a form of leukemia and the treatment of multiple myeloma is fairly complex and involves many kinds of measures. Let us cast a glance on the same and learn about the disease as well as the treatment of Multiple Myeloma

What is Multiple Myeloma:

There are various kinds of red blood cells and white blood cells as well as other elements that are present in our blood. When a certain kind of white blood cell or plasma begins to grow and multiply in an abnormal manner, then it gives rise to leukemia and its various kinds. Multiple myeloma is one such form of blood cancer or leukemia is born from the manifestation and growth of such white blood cells. In this form of cancer, the white blood cells release too much of immunoglobulin which causes widespread damage to the organs of the body even as it causes problems for the skin and bones. This also ends up crowding the normal blood cells of the body, which makes the patient susceptible to a host of infections and complications.

Causes: The exact cause of this disease is still not known as per medical science. Doctors do know that it usually hits people who are more than 65 years of age, and it also hits people from a certain ethnicity and also those who have a family history of this disease. Also, those who are already suffering from other plasma cell related diseases are more susceptible when it comes to this form of cancer.

Symptoms: There are a number of symptoms that will come with the onset of this disease. But the issue is that most of these symptoms are so subtle in the initial stages that one may not even notice them, or end up ignoring them as pains and aches. This is where the progression happens and takes over the body in an adverse way, which makes treatment of the disease extremely challenging. The main symptoms of the disease include weakness and fatigue as well as pain in the bones and joints of the patient. Also, appetite loss may happen which will lead to weight loss and other related problems.

Diagnosis and Treatment: The diagnosis will usually be done with a CBC or a complete blood count which will seek to find the damage done by the plasma cells to the organs. Also, the doctor will check if there is too much calcium in the system, which is usually one of the earliest signs of this disease. High protein levels may also help in timely diagnosis of the condition. The treatment will be done with the help of stem cell transplant which is why banking the stem cell of your new born baby is such an important task today. Chemotherapy and drug therapy will also be combined for effective treatment of the condition.