Treatments for multiple myeloma

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Your healthcare team will create a treatment plan just for you. The plan is based on your health and specific information about the cancer. What you want is also important when planning treatment. When deciding which treatments to offer for multiple myeloma, your healthcare team will consider:

  • your age and health status
  • if you have symptoms and which symptoms you have
  • if you have complications of the disease, such as your kidneys not working well
  • if you are able to have a stem cell transplant (this depends on age, performance status and if you have other health issues)
  • risk stratification based on chromosome changes
  • the type of multiple myeloma
  • the stage of multiple myeloma
  • if you have had other treatments and how well the cancer responded to them
  • if you would be a good candidate for a clinical trial

The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms, slow the progression of the disease and put the disease into remission. Remission for multiple myeloma is when most or all signs and symptoms of the disease disappear.

Treatments for smouldering multiple myeloma

Smouldering multiple myeloma does not cause any symptoms. It is usually treated with watchful waiting or targeted therapy.

Treatments for transplant eligible multiple myeloma

Transplant eligible multiple myeloma means that you're able to have a stem cell transplant. Treatments for transplant eligible multiple myeloma include targeted therapy, chemotherapy, stem cell transplant and supportive therapy.

Treatments for transplant ineligible multiple myeloma

Transplant ineligible means that you are unable to have a stem cell transplant. Treatment options for transplant ineligible multiple myeloma include targeted therapy, chemotherapy and supportive therapy.

Treatments for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma

Treatments for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma include targeted therapy, stem cell transplant, watchful waiting, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and supportive therapy.

Response to treatment

Monitoring the response to treatment helps your healthcare team understand how treatment is working. Tests are done to determine if the cancer has achieved a stringent complete response, complete response or very good partial response or if the cancer is progressive, stable, relapsed or refractory.

Watchful waiting for multiple myeloma

Watchful waiting may be offered for multiple myeloma. The healthcare team watches the cancer closely to see if it is progressing before offering other treatments.

Targeted therapy for multiple myeloma

Targeted therapy uses drugs to target specific molecules on cancer cells or inside them. Multiple myeloma is usually treated with targeted therapy.

Chemotherapy for multiple myeloma

Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. Multiple myeloma is usually treated with chemotherapy.

Stem cell transplant for multiple myeloma

A stem cell transplant replaces stem cells. Multiple myeloma is sometimes treated with stem cell transplant.

Immunotherapy for multiple myeloma

Immunotherapy helps strengthen the immune system to fight cancer. Multiple myeloma is sometimes treated with immunotherapy.

Supportive therapy for multiple myeloma

Supportive therapy is given to treat the complications of multiple myeloma and its treatments.

Radiation therapy for multiple myeloma

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. It is rarely used to treat multiple myeloma.

Follow-up after treatment for multiple myeloma

Follow-up is an important part of care for multiple myeloma. It often involves regular tests and visits with the healthcare team.

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Medical disclaimer

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