In 2015, the American Cancer Society estimated about 26,850 new cases of multiple myeloma in the United states (“Statistics on myeloma” n.d). After leukemia and lymphoma, multiple myeloma is the third most common blood cancer in the United States. Multiple myeloma is a cancer which many tumors are scattered in places of the bone marrow. The name myeloma comes from the greek roots myelos (bone marrow) and oma (tumor)(“Progress in treating multiple myeloma” 2010). This disease comes from the inability of plasma cells to function properly. Plasma cells are white blood cells in bone marrow that fight off invading pathogens. Also known as B lymphocytes, these cells have differentiating responses to viruses and bacterias that enter the body. The …show more content…
Multiple myeloma is staged based on the Durie- Salmon staging system which contain four contributing factors: severity of bone damage, the amount of calcium and hemoglobin in the blood, and the amount of abnormal monoclonal immunoglobulin in the blood or urine (“An Overview” 2012). In the first stage of multiple myeloma it is indicated that the tumor is small, there is a small number of myeloma cells present during this stage. In addition to the tumor, there are other things that affect the body. The hemoglobin levels tend to be slightly less than normal but still a little over 10 g/dL. However, while reviewing x-rays little or no bone damage is shown and the amount of calcium in the blood remains less than 12 mg/dl [average]. Also the amount of abnormal monoclonal immunoglobulin is present in small amounts in either the blood or urine. While in stage two the symptoms fluctuate between stage one and three but there are a moderate number of plasma cells. As the cancer progresses large amounts of plasma cells are present which is classified as stage three. In addition to the large amounts of plasma cells, one of the following should also be present for the cancer to be classified as a stage three, low hemoglobin levels below 8.5g/dL, a blood calcium level of above 12 mg/dL, large amounts of monoclonal immunoglobulin in the blood or urine and three or more areas of bone destroyed by the cancerous cells (How is multiple myeloma staged?
Multiple myeloma (also plasma cell myeloma also known as MM, myeloma, plasma cell myeloma, or as Kahler's disease) is a progressive hematologic (blood) disease. It is a cancer of the plasma cell, an important part of the immune system that produces immunoglobulins (antibodies) to help fight infection and disease.
The diagnosis of multiple myeloma can occur after a routine blood test with your doctor. However, the most common diagnosis occurs when doctors take an x-ray of a broken bone and suspect the cancer has caused or is a contributing factor to the broken bone. When analyzing the blood tests, the following are considered when diagnosing multiple myeloma: people with multiple myeloma have high levels of proteins in the blood, especially M and other immunoglobulin, albumin, and beta-2-microglobulin. Also, the blood exam tests for high levels of calcium and for creatinine levels (to assure that the kidneys are working properly).3 Other ways to test for multiple myeloma include urine tests, x-rays, biopsies (test the bone marrow itself from a large bone - a painful procedure). Unfortunately, Multiple myeloma is a very fatal cancer, where only 35% of patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma living 5 years past their diagnosis.3
Leukemia is a cancer of blood cells, specifically white blood cells that are responsible for fighting infection. However, the abnormal cells in leukemia do not function in the same way as normal white blood cells. Leukemia cells continue to grow and divide, eventually crowding out normal blood cells. The end result is that it becomes difficult for the body to fight infections, control bleeding and transport oxygen (Medicine Net, 2015). It is estimated that each year, approximately 30,800 individuals will be diagnosed with leukemia in the United
24-hour urine collection revealed proteinuria (550 mg). A peripheral blood smear revealed rouleaux formation. CT scans of the chest, abdomen and pelvis revealed no obvious malignancy. Quantitative immunoglobulins were significant for elevated IgA (2415 mg/dl) and concurrent suppression of IgG and IgM levels. Quantitative serum light chain measurement revealed normal levels of kappa and lambda, with an elevated Kappa:Lambda ratio at 2:1. SPEP, UPEP, and serum immunofixation revealed IgA-Kappa Multiple Myeloma (MM). Given her significant-severe, symptomatic hypercalcemia; she was treated with aggressive intravenous crystalloids and loop diuretics, calcitonin, pamidronate; and a decision to perform early hemodialysis given her extremely high calcium levels. Her calcium subsequently normalized to 10.1 mg/dl. Bone-marrow biopsy with flow cytometry revealed intracytoplasmic kappa-restricted monoclonal plasma cells that occupied 40% of the marrow. Bone survey was negative for lytic lesions. Oncology started her on a chemotherapeutic regimen consisting of Bortezomib, Lenalidomide, dexamethasone along
Mr. Jacobs is a very pleasant, 69-year-old gentleman who presents to the oncology clinic for evaluation and treatment of a myelodysplastic syndrome with excess blasts in transformation RAEB-2. Patient states he was in a normal state of health until 01/2017 when he was evaluated to have anemia and leukopenia. He was referred to a hematologist/oncologist and underwent a bone marrow biopsy. The results revealed a mild dysplastic syndrome with excess blasts in transformation RAEB-2. Flow cytometry showed 11% myeloblasts. He was subsequently given one unit of packed red blood cells and started on erythropoietin every three weeks
There are 13,000 people diagnosed each year with Myelodysplastic syndrome in America. Robin Roberts is just one of those many people (American Cancer Society).
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a rare life-threatening cancer that affects the white blood cells known as plasma cells that are found in the soft, spongy tissue at the center of the bones, called bone marrow. The plasma cells are useful in fighting infections by producing antibodies that recognize and attack germs. The plasma cells are transformed into malignant myeloma cells when there are high levels of M proteins or better known as the production of abnormal antibodies from a result of myeloma cells. These M proteins multiple and block out normally functioning antibodies and the end results are bone damage or kidney problems. An individual can have blood tests or urine tests done to determine if they have multiple myeloma. In the article, “The work of living with a rare cancer: multiple myeloma” the authors explain how this type of cancer still remains incurable, but treatable that patients can expect to live longer, approximately five to seven years than what two decades ago. This was not expected for patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma during the 1990s, since patients were expected to only live about two and a half years after being diagnosed. Treatment for multiple myeloma throughout the years has advanced greatly yet a cure is still to be discovered. This essay will focus of the causes, the sign and symptoms, how multiple myeloma is detected and diagnosed, and how multiple myeloma is treated.
How is multiple myeloma diagnosed? Most cases are detected before any signs are present. Routine physical exams, blood and urine tests can add evidence of myeloma.
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of disorders that occur when there is a disruption in the bone marrow’s ability to produce healthy blood cells. It is a rare condition that most often affects older adults. In some cases, there is a chance that MDS could eventually progress to leukemia. For that reason, it is sometimes called preleukemia. Some forms of the disorder have no obvious cause, while others appear as a response to chemical exposure or cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In addition, subjection to heavy metals increases the risk of experiencing MDS.
Multiple myelomas are formed when plasma cells begins to grow uncontrollably. Plasma cells release immunoglobulins (antibodies) that help the body fight against germs. The bone marrow is rich in plasma cells, and it is the perfect place for growth of new cells. When the plasma cells grow out of control, they form clusters known as a tumor. If just a single tumor is formed, it is called a solitary plasmacytoma, but if more than one tumor exists, it is known as multiple myeloma.
What if patients that suffer from Multiple Myeloma could finally have a treatment opinion with the aid of the immunology hormone, Thymosin ß-4? This hematologic (blood) disease has no cure at this specific time, but there are some factors that increase the susceptibility of contracting this disease. The factors include being over the age of 65, hereditary disposition and race also, people that already suffer a blood disease will probably contract MM. Why is trying to treat MM so important? Multiple Myeloma is stated as a cancer that is formed in a specific type of white blood cell (plasma cells). The main role of plasma cells is to secrete antibody that recognizes and attacks germs. These malignant plasma cells result in an increase of immunoglobulin components, most commonly IgG. This up regulation of IgG can ultimately cause kidney problems. To fully understand how this hormone may help patients that suffer from this disease first, I want to look at how the immune system interacts with hormones. Then, discuss what Thymosin ß-4 is and the effects on the inhibition of MM.
Leukemia is a cancer that affects the bone marrow. The bon marrow is the soft spongy center of the bone that produces blood cells. Leukemia is found in white blood cells or leukocytes. The white blood cells help to fight ff infections and other diseases. Normally, cells produce in an orderly way, but people that have leukemia the cell production gets out of control. The marrow produces too many immature white blood cells called blasts. They are differently shaped and can’t carry out their usual duties.
Cancerous lymphocytes can travel to many parts of the body, including the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, blood, or other organs, and form a mass called a tumor. Lymphocytes are the warriors of the immune system (Marieb & Hoehn). The body has two main types of lymphocytes that can develop into lymphomas: B-Lymphocytes (B-cells) and T-lymphocytes (T-cells) (Lymphoma.org). T-cells and B-cells protect
Multiple myeloma accounts for about 0.8 % of all the cancers and around 63,000 people are reported to die from it every year. The exact etiology of MM is not clearly understood45. BMPs are potent inhibitors of multiple myeloma cells and are found in the bone marrow where these cells reside. Multiple myeloma cells are able to grow and continue proliferation within the bone marrow microenvironment. It is therefore important to understand how myeloma cells are able to escape the tumor suppressing activity of BMPs. A more in-depth knowledge in this could lead to development of new treatment and better targets for MM.
Jack woke up one morning not feeling well. He felt very weak and could not get out of bed. His mother decided to take him to the doctors. The doctors took many tests to figure out what was making him feel that way. After about an hour or two the doctors got the results back from a blood test. Results that would change Jack’s childhood for the worse. Jack has been diagnosed with Leukemia, a blood cancer. Of course, Jack was not sure what that meant but, his parents became worried beyond belief with the long road ahead of them. Scientists and researchers were all involved in the discovery of Leukemia cancer, which increased knowledge of this cancer, decreased deaths and discovered treatments, and started charity groups to fund research.