Multiple Myeloma

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Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer. It affects certain white blood cells called the plasma cell, and is an incurable but treatable disease. The estimated frequency of multiple myeloma is 4-5 new cases per 100,000 persons per year. Accordingly, in the USA 15,270 new cases are expected to be diagnosed in 2004. At present there are approximately 50,000 people in the United States living with multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma tends to be a disease of the elderly. The average patient is 68 years old when diagnosed.

A wide range of analgesic

Drugs are now suitable for the control of pain in patients with myeloma. A relatively new class of drugs called bisphosphonates have been shown to help control bone disease in myeloma. During the last 10 years, doctors have seen an increase in cases of multiple myeloma occurring at younger ages, but patients are usually over age 40.

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Multiple myeloma (say: "my-el-oh-ma") is a kind of cancer in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the tissue inside the bones where new blood cells are made. Myeloma is caused when your body makes too many of a certain blood cell, called a "plasma cell." When this happens, the abnormal plasma cells group together and form tumors. They kill the bone cells around them and keep other blood cells that you need from being made.

Scientists are developing a

Drug to combat multiple myeloma. This drug will act as a sponge in the bloodstream to absorb a gene called DKK1, potentially reversing and arresting that it is the primary effect of multiple myeloma. Hopefully, it will just be a mater of time before a cure could be found to overcome this painful and almost always fatal disease.

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“Little is known about the etiology of multiple myeloma. Both environmental and genetic factors may play a role in the development of this cancer. Exposure to ionizing radiation has been linked with multiple myeloma.” About 20 years after World War II, there was an increased incidence in multiple myeloma among people who had been exposed to the radiation in nuclear warheads. The strongest associations have been noted for Japanese atomic bomb survivors (Shimizu, 1990), U.S. radiologists (Matanoski et al., 1975), and radium dial workers (Stebbings et al., 1984). Nuclear power plant workers may also be at an increased risk for developing multiple myeloma. Living near nuclear facilities, however, does not appear to be associated with myeloma occurrence. Numerous epidemiologic studies have reported a link between multiple myeloma and farming or agricultural work.

People are now well aware to

avoid the exposure to the radiation environment. Precautions are being taken and new drugs are being tested to remedy this disease. A new drug, “Doxi” will simplify the treatment of multiple myeloma, and will allow patients to be treated at home and maintain their regular activities if they are diagnosed at a stage with a good performance status