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Standard Treatment for Multiple Myeloma

When you have multiple myeloma, your body produces abnormal plasma cells known as myeloma cells. The myeloma cells build up within the bone marrow, which causes tumors to develop within your bones. As a result, your bone marrow is inhibited from developing healthy blood cells. Multiple myeloma can also damage the bones. Though there is no cure for the disease, treatments may be given to help relieve any symptoms associated with the condition, to control complications, or to help slow down the progression rate of the disease.

  1. Bortezomib

    • According to the "Journals of the National Cancer Institute," bortezomib (Valcade) is the first U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved proteasome inhibitor used in the treatment of cancer. Proteasomes are multiproteins that act as destroyers of abnormal cellular proteins. Proteasomes essentially regulate how cellular proteins are maintained. The use of bortezomib in multiple myeloma treatment can be important due to the fact that cancer cells create multiple abnormal cells. The use of bortezomib can inhibit the growth of cancer cells, as well as make cancer cells easier to kill with chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

    Thalidomide

    • Thalidomide (Thalomid) was a medication that was first used as a sedative and for the treatment of morning sickness. The drug was then removed from the market due to birth defects that were caused by the medication. According to the Mayo Clinic, thalidomide was approved for the treatment of leprosy in 1998 by the FDA. The FDA has now approved the use of thalidomide for multiple myeloma. Thalidomide is prescribed after first being diagnosed with the multiple myeloma.

    Lenalidomide

    • Lenalidomide is used to treat multiple myeloma if a person has just been diagnosed with the disease, or if he previously had the condition. Lenalidomide is considered to be a better treatment course than thalidomide because it causes less side effects. Lenalidomide seems to also work better for the treatment of multiple myeloma by slowing down the progression of the disease.

    Chemotherapy and Radiation

    • Chemotherapy kills cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be given through the use of an IV or be taken orally in pill form. Chemotherapy can be administered as the only course of treatment, or can be given in conjunction with cancer fighting medications. Radiation therapy specifically targets the affected bones that have tumor growths. The radiation can shrink a tumor within the bone to either relieve painful symptoms associated with the tumor, or to prevent the bone from being destroyed.

    Other Treatments

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, a physician may prescribe a corticosteroid, such as prednisone or dexamethasone. Corticosteroids are prescribed to create the same effects the hormones cortisone and hydrocortisone would in the body. As a result, a corticosteroid can help relieve stress from illnesses, help with inflammation, as well as help your immune function. Stem cell transplantation can also be used to replace damaged or diseased marrow with healthy stem cells that are either donated or harvested from the patient with multiple myeloma.

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