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MULTIPLE MYELOMA
Questions and Answers About Multiple
Myeloma
1.
What is multiple myeloma?
2.
Why are plasma cells important?
3. What happens to affected
plasma cells?
4. What are some
of the symptoms of multiple myeloma?
5. Is there a cure for
multiple myeloma?
6. Who is at
risk?
7. What is the history of
multiple myeloma?
8. How is the Myeloma
Institute different?
9.
How many patients does the Myeloma Institute treat each year?
10.
What kind of patient care and services can you expect at the Myeloma Institute?
11.
What can a patient expect from the Myeloma Institute's patient care team?
Making an Appointment
at UAMS Medical Center
To make an appointment, call 1-501-686-8000.
1. What is multiple myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects plasma cells, which are a type of white
blood cell. Plasma cells and other white blood cells are part of the immune system, which
helps the body protect itself from infection and disease. All white blood cells develop in
the bone marrow, the spongy tissue that fills the centers of most bones. Some of these
white blood cells remain in the bone marrow, and some migrate to other parts of the body.
Some of the white blood cells, whether in the marrow or other parts of the body, develop
into plasma cells when the immune system needs them to fight infection and disease.
2.
Why are plasma cells important?
Plasma cells are important to the immune system because they produce antibodies.
Antibodies are proteins that move throughout the blood stream to fight foreign, harmful
substances. Each type of plasma cell produces a specific antibody to fight a specific
foreign substance. Since the body has many different types of plasma cells, it can respond
to, or fight against, many different foreign substances.
3.
What happens to affected plasma cells?
When plasma cells become cancerous, they reproduce uncontrollably. These excess abnormal
plasma cells are all alike; they are referred to as "monoclonal," meaning that
they all have a common origin.
The tremendously increased number of plasma cells in
multiple myleoma crowd out healthy red and white blood cells, preventing them from
functioning as effectively as they should. The malignant plasma cells produce osteoclast
activating factors which cause calcium to be leached out of the bones. This leaching of
calcium can result in dangerously high levels of calcium in the bloodstream, known as
hypercalcemia, and holes in bones, known as osteolytic lesions. Some patients experience
vertebral collapse or spontaneous fractures. The malignant plasma cells also produce
excessive monoclonal immunoglobulin, a type of protein, referred to as an M-protein. This
protein can overload the kidneys, leading to abnormal kidney function and even renal
failure. Sometimes malignant plasma cells congregate in clumps, causing isolated tumors,
or plasmacytomas.
4. What are
some of the symptoms of multiple myeloma?
Early myeloma may cause no overt symptoms, but as tumor mass increases and excess protein
is produced, symptomatic disease develops. Typical symptoms include bone pain, anemia, and
renal failure. Frequent infections are also common, because the immune system is
compromised when healthy white blood cells are crowded out by the malignant myeloma cells.
Click here to learn
more about multiple myeloma symptoms.
5.
Is there a cure for multiple myeloma?
There is no known cure for multiple myeloma, although lengthy remissions can often be
achieved. The immediate goal in treating multiple myeloma is to get the disease under
control and to keep the patient in remission with a good quality of life for as long as
possible. Disease control can be complicated by a tendency for myeloma cells to become
resistant to chemotherapeutic agents.
6. Who is at
risk?
Multiple myeloma typically affects middle-aged or elderly persons. It accounts for 15% of
all hematological malignancies. Approximately 14,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.
Multiple myeloma is more common in men than women, and in African Americans than
Caucasians.
7. What is the history of
multiple myeloma?
A little more than a decade ago a diagnosis of multiple myeloma was like a kiss of
death. A hematological disorder striking mostly the elderly, multiple myeloma was
underdiagnosed and difficult to treat effectively. The diagnosis was often made many
months after patients became symptomatic with their disease. Those who were diagnosed
correctly were offered palliative care to relieve symptoms and buy time. Survival of 36
months was considered good.
Since then, the picture has changed
dramatically. Through his pioneering work in DNA flow cytometry, Dr. Bart Barlogie, then on the faculty at MD Anderson Cancer Research
Center in Houston, Texas, became intrigued by the clinical and molecular manifestations of
multiple myeloma. Heeding lessons learned from acute leukemia, including the concepts of
remission induction, consolidation, and maintenance therapy, Dr. Barlogie began pursuing a
comprehensive study of multiple myeloma that brought him to the Arkansas Cancer Research Center (ACRC)
at the University of Arkansas for Medical
Sciences where he proceeded to focus on myeloma in a way that no one had done before.
While many cancer centers were exploring new ways to conquer other hematological
malignancies, the ACRC through Dr. Barlogie established a program dedicated almost
exclusively to multiple myeloma.
Dr. Barlogie assembled a team of outstanding researchers and clinicians who shared his
keen interest in multiple myeloma, heretofore thought of as an "orphan" disease
since it received minimal attention compared to other hematological disorders. With
extensive teaching and collaborative efforts, the team was poised to tackle the complexity
of myeloma.
Not content to settle for standard treatment, Dr. Barlogie’s myeloma team was
convinced that challenging the standard was key to making breakthroughs that would lead to
a cure. They were the leaders in using different combinations of chemotherapeutic agents
and bone marrow transplantation for myeloma patients. Some colleagues questioned these
efforts and doubted that advances could be made in a group of patients considered too
frail to withstand the complications associated with high dose therapy. But,
results were promising. Patients were going into remission more quickly and were
staying in remission without significant symptoms for longer periods of time. As
word of the innovative treatment at ACRC traveled, patients from all over the country and
around the world were inspired to come to ACRC for treatment in the hopes of less
disability and longer lives.
8. How is the Myeloma
Institute different?
The programs of the Myeloma
Institute for Research and Therapy (Myeloma Institute) were established in October
1989 by Dr. Bart Barlogie. The Myeloma Institute is housed within the Arkansas Cancer Research Center (ACRC),
which is an integral component of the University
of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, located in Little Rock, Arkansas.
The Myeloma Institute is dedicated to innovative and
comprehensive approaches to the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma as well as
other hematological malignancies. Our philosophy is to challenge the disappointing
outcomes of standard therapies through clinical trials designed to improve therapeutic
outcomes.
Myeloma Institute programs are recognized as outstanding by the National Cancer Institute and the Southwest Oncology Group. We are the
primary investigating institution on numerous clinical trials for these groups. A
multitude of specialty clinics and research laboratories at the Arkansas Cancer Research
Center are active in cancer patient care, affording our patients the opportunity to access
the latest and most promising treatment methods available.
9.
How many patients does the Myeloma Institute treat each year?
The Myeloma Institute treats more multiple myeloma patients than any other cancer center
in the world. The number of new multiple myeloma patients evaluated at the Myeloma
Institute each year is approximately 500. With a disease as complex as multiple
myeloma, the experience gained from a large volume of patients is a distinct
advantage. Our staff is focused on the treatment of patients with multiple
myeloma. The staff is thoroughly familiar with all treatment processes and the
sequence of treatments, and is adept at anticipating potential complications and
addressing patient/family needs. Patients requiring hospitalization are admitted to
a special inpatient unit dedicated to multiple myeloma patients and to patients with other
hematological malignancies undergoing peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.
10.
What kind of patient care and services can you expect at the Myeloma Institute?
A separate 29-bed unit in a new (built in 1998) inpatient bed tower is dedicated to
the bone marrow transplant service. Air in each patient room is processed through
special HEPA filters to protect patients from airborne pathogens. Three rooms are
equipped with laminar airflow for patients who are especially vulnerable to infection.
Rooms are spacious with comfortable seating and a window with a pleasant view.
Patients can hook up their own computers and access E-mail and Internet connections.
11.
What can a patient expect from the Myeloma Institute's patient care team?
Myeloma Institute
physicians have extensive training and experience in multiple myeloma and
transplantation for multiple myeloma and other hematological malignancies. They are
widely published in leading medical journals and are frequent lecturers at national and
international meetings.
UAMS has a full complement of physician specialists with
the expertise to handle complexities that may arise during the course of
treatment. An infectious disease physician is a full-time member of the
Myeloma Institute team. Myeloma Institute physicians, along with nursing and other
professional staff, function as a team. Patient care conferences, conducted
every Tuesday and Friday, ensure continuity of comprehensive care.
Beyond the care and knowledge of highly trained physicians,
the Myeloma Institute provides a staff of specially trained nurses. Transplantation
programs require highly educated nurses who are specially trained to manage the
complexities associated with transplantation and related treatments. Nurses in the
outpatient settings become true partners with their patients, seeing them from their first
visit here throughout the entire course of treatment and follow-up. Our inpatient nurses
are committed to the comprehensive care of patients admitted to the hospital, and our low
patient to nurse ratio assures patients of individualized, attentive care.
Making an Appointment at
UAMS Medical Center
To make an appointment, call 1-501-686-8000.
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