Can i survive myeloma

The life expectancy of a patient with multiple myeloma, as with many types of cancer, depends on the extent of the disease upon diagnosis. Patients with multiple myeloma receive continuous treatments with phases of stronger and less-strong therapy, according to Dr. Beyond the current standard of care therapy at Roswell Park, Dr. Unfortunately, however, the disease often returns after a while, requiring a change of treatment, he adds.

Fatigue, another common symptom and side effect at the same time, can be treated with physical exercise. As a result, myeloma treatment needs to be interdisciplinary and requires a whole team of providers. Furthermore, it is our goal to improve your quality of life and help you to achieve milestones while on your journey, via access to cutting-edge treatment and clinical trials.

There are several types of myeloma. Multiple myeloma is the most common type. It accounts for 90 percent of cases, according to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Your treatment options and general state depend on a variety of factors. One of those factors is the stage of the cancer at diagnosis. Like many diseases, multiple myeloma is broken down into various stages. Staging helps doctors track your disease and prescribe the right treatments. The sooner you receive a diagnosis and start treatment, the better your outlook.

The Durie-Salmon system is discussed in this article. The stages of multiple myeloma also take into account whether or not the cancer is causing problems with your bones or kidneys. High levels of blood calcium can indicate advanced bone damage.

Low levels of hemoglobin and high levels of monoclonal immunoglobin indicate more advanced disease. They may also be undetectable in your blood. In this stage, you have a relatively small number of myeloma cells in your blood and urine. Your hemoglobin levels are only slightly below normal. Bone X-rays may look normal or show only one affected area. In this stage, a moderate number of myeloma cells are present.

Hemoglobin levels are usually much lower than normal. Monoclonal immunoglobulin may be increased, and blood calcium levels may also be high. X-rays may show several areas of bone damage. In the final stage of multiple myeloma, a high number of myeloma cells are found. Your hemoglobin level is also usually below 8. There are multiple areas of bone destruction caused by the cancer.

Your age also affects your outlook. Younger people tend to do better than older people. Other health conditions and your choice of treatment must also be taken into consideration. For some people, multiple myeloma can be asymptomatic and progress slow.

Poor kidney function and faster growing cancer cells generally indicate a poorer outlook. But if you respond well to initial treatment and experience a complete remission, your outlook is generally better. Taking care of yourself can help you feel better and may lengthen your life.

Survival rates tell you what percentage of people with the same type and stage of cancer are still alive at a certain point in time usually 5 years after diagnosis. The SEER database tracks 5-year relative survival rates for multiple myeloma in the United States, based on how far the cancer has spread.

Instead, it groups cancers into localized, regional, and distant stages:. Localized: Only one tumor a solitary plasmacytoma is growing in the bone or outside the bone.