Multiple Myeloma Cancer Center

Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects the plasma type of white blood cells. Myeloma cells tend to collect in the bone marrow and in the hard, outer part of bones. Sometimes they collect in only one bone and form a single mass, or tumor, called a plasmacytoma. In most cases, however, the myeloma cells collect in many bones, often forming many tumors and causing other problems. When this happens, the disease is called multiple myeloma.

Please note that cancer is classified by the type of cell, or the part of the body, in which the disease begins. Although plasmacytoma and multiple myeloma affect the bones, they begin in cells of the immune system. This type of cancer is different from bone cancer, which actually begins in cells that form the hard, outer part of the bone. You should know this because the diagnosis and treatment of plasmacytoma and multiple myeloma are different from the diagnosis and treatment of bone cancer.

The International Myeloma Foundation reports that each year there are approximately 19,900 new cases of myeloma in the United States. This represents approximately 20 percent of blood cancers, and 1 percent of all types of cancer. The incidence varies from country to country, with a rate of 1 in 100,000 in China to approximately 1 in 400,000 in most Western industrialized countries. Myeloma is more common in blacks than whites, with a male/female ratio of 3 to 2. The incidence rises with age. Better diagnostic techniques and the higher average age of the general population may explain the rising incidence of myeloma over the past several decades. More patients under age 55 are being diagnosed with myeloma; risk factors include exposure to atomic radiation, petroleum products, pesticides, solvents, heavy metals, and airborne particles.

Treatment for multiple myeloma depends on the stage of the disease, your age and general health, as well as other factors your doctor will discuss with you.

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), we take a comprehensive, aggressive, integrative approach to fighting multiple myeloma. We use the latest medical technology, tools and treatments to eradicate multiple myeloma, along with supportive therapies to keep you strong and ease the side effects of conventional treatment. Our experts in hematology, oncology, nutrition, naturopathy, mind-body medicine, oncology rehabilitation, and more surround you with support and empower you to make decisions about your treatment. Together, you and your team of CTCA doctors and other clinicians will determine the right combination of traditional and innovative therapies just for you.

CTCA offers advanced treatments for multiple myeloma, including:

• Allogeneic stem cell transplants, in which your immune system receives new, healthy peripheral blood stem cells from another person.
• Autologous stem cell transplants, in which your peripheral blood stem cells are taken from you (harvested), frozen until needed, then given back to you (transplanted) after you have received high doses of chemotherapy, radiation therapy or both, to destroy your myeloma cells.

Next Topic: Conventional Multiple Myeloma Treatments