Multiple Myeloma

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Causes

• African American heritage
• A family history of multiple myeloma
• Employment in farming or the petroleum industry
• Sustained exposure to radiation or chemicals such as arsenic, asbestos, and lead

Signs/Symptoms

• Broken bones
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Frequent infections

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation and trouble urinating

Care

• Chemotherapy: Often called "chemo," this type of therapy uses drugs to kill new tumor cells or shrink lymph nodes that contain cancer cells. Many different chemo medicines are available. They may be taken as a pill, as a shot, or in an IV. You will probably need frequent blood tests to determine how your body is doing and how much chemo you need. The drugs can produce many side effects, and may leave you more susceptible to infection for a while.
• Radiation: X-rays or gamma rays can kill cancer and help prevent it from spreading. They can also be effective in reducing pain, controlling bleeding, and shrinking cancerous tumors. Radiation and chemotherapy are often used together.
• Bone Marrow Transplant: In this form of therapy, diseased or damaged bone marrow is replaced with healthy marrow, usually from a donor. (Your own marrow may be used if it can be collected while your cancer is in remission.) The transplant is given in the hospital through an IV. Although the treatment fights back cancer, it may lead to other very serious health problems, including severe infections. You may have to stay in the hospital for a month after the procedure.
• Plasmapheresis (PLAHS-muh-fuh-REE-sis): During this procedure, blood is taken from the body and the plasma removed from it. The blood (minus the plasma) is then remixed with saline (a salt solution) and returned to the body.
• Biologic Therapy (also called biotherapy or immunotherapy): This type of treatment relies on special drugs that boost the immune system to help your body fight the multiplying cancer cells. Certain drugs may also make the cancer cells weaker and easier to kill. The medications are usually given through an IV. They may cause flu-like symptoms.

Risks

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• If you are getting chemotherapy, it is important to take your medicine exactly as you are told. If you're also taking antibiotics, be sure to use them up, even if you're feeling better. If a medicine makes you drowsy, avoid driving or using dangerous machinery.
• Do NOT take any medicine that contains aspirin or ibuprofen-like ingredients. Ask your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medication.
• If you are taking pain medicine, especially as a shot or IV, ask your doctor to show you and your family how to give it. Take enough medicine to stay comfortable. Do not worry about becoming addicted to the drugs.
• Eat healthy meals from all 5 food groups: fruits, vegetables, breads, dairy products, and meat. This will increase your energy level and boost your resistance.
• Unless instructed otherwise, drink 6 to 8 large glasses of liquid, such as water, juices, and milk, each day. Limit caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, tea, and soda.
• If constipation becomes a problem, follow these tips: Don't strain if the stool is too hard. Keep walking to help stimulate the bowels. Eating foods rich in fiber, such as fruit, bran, cereal, and beans, will also help restore regularity. Drink plenty of liquids; prune juice may help make the stool softer. Or, if your doctor approves, you can take an over-the-counter fiber laxative.
• To reduce your chance of getting an infection, stay away from people who have colds or the flu. You may need to get pneumonia and flu shots.
• You may feel like resting more. Match your activity to your energy level. Nap a couple of times during the day. Going to bed early and getting up late may also help.
• Because the disease weakens the bones, do not try to lift anything heavy and avoid contact sports. To pick something up that's below waist level, bend at the knees, not at the waist. This will help keep you from falling or pulling a muscle.
• If you need a walker, use it. It will keep you from falling and help you stay active. It is important that you be able to get around safely.
• You may need to wear a back brace. Also ask your doctor if you should do exercises to make your back muscles stronger.
• It's difficult to accept the fact of cancer. Talking with doctors, family, or friends can help. You may also want to join a support group. For more information call or write: American Cancer Society, 1599 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, 1-800-ACS-2345. Or call the National Cancer Institute Cancer Information Center, 1-800-4-CANCER.

Call Your Doctor If...

• You are running a high temperature.
• You either have a new kind of back or bone pain, or your existing pain gets worse.
• You can't keep any food or liquids down.
• After taking your pain medicine, the pain either doesn't go away or gets worse.

Seek Care Immediately If...

• You are bleeding.
• You have a very bad headache or stiff neck.
• One side of your body feels weak.
• You lose control of bowels or bladder.
• You have chest pain or trouble breathing.
• You can not think clearly.
• You develop a high fever while taking chemotherapy.