Multiple Myeloma Treatment

Overview. Whenever possible, those diagnosed with multiple myeloma should have their treatment planned by a multidisciplinary team of doctors with expertise in blood-related cancers, such as those found at The Lacks Cancer Center. There are a variety of treatment options available for multiple myeloma, however, the choice of treatment depends primarily on the stage of the disease, whether there are additional disease-related health problems and the age of the patient. If the patient is not exhibiting symptoms of the disease, the physician may prescribe a period of watchful waiting. Ultimately, the standard treatments for any stage of multiple myeloma may include the following:

Chemotherapy. This treatment uses potent drugs to eradicate, shrink, slow the growth of can, or prevent it from spreading. Typically, a combination of drugs is administered intravenously (directly into the veins) in a series of treatments over a period of weeks or months, with breaks in between so that the patient’s body can recover.

High-dose Chemotherapy Combination. In some instances high-does chemotherapy and radiation therapy, in conjunction with a stem cell transplant, may be prescribed. The stem cell transplantation process is a complex and lengthy one. The patient is initially treated with radiation therapy and/or high doses of drugs, which destroy both the abnormal and normal blood cells in the bone marrow. The patient then receives healthy stem cells through a flexible tube that is placed in a large vein in the neck or chest area. These new blood cells will continue to produce healthy blood cells in the marrow.

Stem cell transplants occur in specialized centers around the state and country. The Lacks Cancer Center partners with those centers to provide this key inpatient therapy at those centers.

Biologic Therapy. Monoclonal antibody therapy uses laboratory made antibodies (proteins used by the immune system to identify and defuse foreign objects). The antibodies attach to certain substances on cancer cells that can kill them, block their growth, or keep them from spreading. These antibodies are typically given to the patient through an infusion. They may be used alone or to carry drugs, toxins or radioactive material directly to cancer cells.

Radiation Therapy. The primary objective of radiation therapy is to kill cancer cells while harming as little normal tissue as possible. This therapy may be used before, during and/or after chemotherapy, and is delivered in one of two ways depending on the type and stage of cancer being treated. Radiation can either be administered to the affected area(s) from outside the body or, in other instances, inserted through a needle or catheter into or near the cancer.

Surgery. Surgery to remove the tumor may be done, usually followed by radiation therapy.

Plasmapheresis. This is a procedure in which blood is removed from the patient and sent through a machine that separates the plasma (the liquid part of the blood) from the blood cells. The patient's plasma contains the unneeded antibodies and is not returned to the patient. The normal blood cells are returned to the bloodstream along with donated plasma or a plasma replacement. Although effective in removing these antibodies, Plasmapheresis does not prevent new antibodies from forming.

Seek the most aggressive treatments available from our multidisciplinary team with a referral from your primary care physician or with a self-referral by calling 1-877-LACKS-MI or 616-685-LACK(S).