- Active Multiple Myeloma For Non-Transplant Candidate
- What Tests Will I Need And Why?
Overview
An Active Multiple Myeloma for a Non-Transplant Candidate diagnosis means that your multiple myeloma is actively progressing and the abnormal plasma cells are crowding out the good cells and causing a few key issues:
- Bone Damage – These cells can release substances that break down your bones, making them weak or painful.
- Low Blood Counts – Since the bad cells take over, your body doesn’t have enough space to make healthy blood cells, so you might feel tired or get sick easily.
- High Calcium Levels – Broken-down bones release calcium into your blood, which can cause confusion, thirst, or even kidney problems.
- Kidney Trouble – The abnormal cells make harmful proteins that can damage your kidneys.
What Does Non-Transplant Candidate Mean?
A person with multiple myeloma is NOT typically a candidate for a stem cell transplant (also called a bone marrow transplant) if they don’t meet the criteria below:
- Younger or Healthy Adult: Age alone isn’t always a strict limit, but candidates are usually younger or in good overall health. This is because the process can be tough on the body.
- Have Good Organ Function: The heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver need to be working well to handle the treatment.
- Controlled Myeloma: The disease is usually under control with initial treatment (like chemotherapy) before the transplant.
- No Serious Health Conditions: People without severe medical problems like uncontrolled infections, major heart issues, or other life-threatening conditions are better candidates.
- Able to Handle High-Dose Therapy: Before the transplant, patients receive high-dose chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells. The body must be strong enough to recover from this.
Re-read this summary as needed and then tap, “Compare My Treatment Options Now“. Our unique Comparison Page will help you understand your FDA-approved treatment options including, who can help you pay for your treatment, where and how each is given and what side-effects you may experience.
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Overview
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Commonly Searched Questions
Active Multiple Myeloma Definition
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Active Multiple Myeloma Recurrence Rate
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Active Multiple Myeloma Symptoms
- Bone pain, particularly in the back, hips, or ribs, due to bone damage or fractures.
- Fatigue and weakness from anemia, which occurs when the bone marrow is unable to produce enough healthy red blood cells.
- Frequent infections caused by a weakened immune system due to the abnormal plasma cells.
- Kidney problems or kidney failure, as the abnormal proteins produced by the myeloma cells can damage the kidneys.
- Numbness or weakness in the legs, or other neurological symptoms, due to spinal cord compression from bone damage.
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These symptoms arise as the disease progresses and affects the body’s organs and tissues. Treatment typically focuses on managing these symptoms and slowing the progression of the disease.
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Active Multiple Myeloma Treatment
- Chemotherapy: To target and kill myeloma cells.
- Targeted therapy: Drugs that target specific molecules involved in the growth and survival of myeloma cells.
- Immunotherapy: Treatments that stimulate the immune system to attack myeloma cells.
- Stem cell transplant: A procedure to replace damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells, often used after initial treatment to help extend remission.
- Corticosteroids: Used to reduce inflammation and help control myeloma cell growth.
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Active Multiple Myeloma Prevention
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Active Multiple Myeloma Survival Rate
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