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Sub-Category:

Plasma Cell Myeloma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Hematologic (Blood) Cancers

Symptoms:
bone pain, especially in the back, ribs, or hips; fatigue and weakness; anemia; frequent infections; unexplained weight loss; nausea or vomiting; hypercalcemia (high calcium levels) leading to confusion or constipation; kidney dysfunction or failure

Root Cause:
Plasma cell myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells, which are white blood cells responsible for producing antibodies. The malignant plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy blood cells, leading to problems with bone structure, immune function, and organ systems like the kidneys.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests (including serum protein electrophoresis and free light chain assay). Urine tests (such as urine protein electrophoresis). Bone marrow biopsy. Imaging tests (X-rays, MRI, CT scans to detect bone lesions). PET scan for detecting active disease.

Treatment:
Chemotherapy (e.g., cyclophosphamide, melphalan). Targeted therapy (e.g., proteasome inhibitors like bortezomib). Immunotherapy (e.g., monoclonal antibodies like daratumumab). Stem cell transplant (autologous stem cell transplant). Radiation therapy for localized bone pain.

Medications:
Chemotherapy drugs - Melphalan (alkylating agent), Cyclophosphamide (alkylating agent). Proteasome inhibitors - Bortezomib (Velcade ), Carfilzomib (Kyprolis ). Immunomodulatory agents - Thalidomide , Lenalidomide (Revlimid ). Monoclonal antibodies - Daratumumab (Darzalex ). Steroids - Dexamethasone , Prednisone (for symptom management and to reduce inflammation).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Plasma cell myeloma accounts for about 10% of all hematologic malignancies. The incidence increases with age, with a median age at diagnosis of 69 years.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age (most common in individuals over 60 years). Male sex. African-American ethnicity. Family history of multiple myeloma. Exposure to radiation, certain chemicals, or pesticides. Obesity. History of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Multiple myeloma is typically not curable, but with advances in treatment, survival rates have improved. Median survival is around 5-7 years, but this can vary greatly depending on the stage at diagnosis and response to treatment.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Bone fractures and osteoporosis. Kidney failure. Infections due to weakened immune system. Hypercalcemia (can lead to kidney damage, confusion, and coma). Anemia and fatigue. Neurological symptoms (e.g., spinal cord compression).

Smoldering Myeloma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Hematologic (Blood) Cancers

Sub-category: Multiple Myeloma

Symptoms:
asymptomatic in the early stages; mild or no pain (but may have some vague bone aches); no signs of kidney problems or infections at the time of diagnosis

Root Cause:
Smoldering myeloma is an early, asymptomatic form of multiple myeloma where there is an accumulation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow but without the symptoms or organ damage seen in active myeloma.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests showing elevated monoclonal protein levels. Bone marrow biopsy showing 10-60% plasma cells. Imaging tests to monitor for signs of bone damage or other complications.

Treatment:
Often no immediate treatment is required; careful monitoring is essential. Treatment may be initiated when symptoms or complications develop. Clinical trials and experimental therapies may be considered.

Medications:
Generally, no medications are required unless it transitions to active multiple myeloma. In cases of progression, chemotherapy and/or targeted therapies (similar to active myeloma) might be used.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Smoldering myeloma is diagnosed in about 10-15% of people with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), which is a precursor to multiple myeloma.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Similar risk factors as for multiple myeloma, including older age, male sex, family history, and African-American ethnicity.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Smoldering myeloma is considered a pre-myeloma state, with about 10% of individuals per year progressing to active multiple myeloma. The median time to progression is around 3 years.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Progression to symptomatic multiple myeloma, with associated bone lesions, kidney problems, and immune suppression. No immediate complications unless progression occurs.