Blood cancer

A diagnosis of multiple myeloma or plasmacytoma can lead you or your family member through a range of different emotions. Let us help navigate you though your care journey with a personalized treatment plan for your individual needs by our supportive staff.

A common form of blood cancer, multiple myeloma affects the plasma cells within your blood. These cells play an important role in your body’s immune system and protects you from infection. When the plasma cells are abnormal, they can grow out of control and form tumors in the marrow of your bones. If multiple tumors appear throughout your skeletal system, it is called multiple myeloma. This disease can lead to issues with your immune system and illness and damage to your kidney or bones.

If your body develops a tumor in the plasma cells of bony or soft tissue, this is called plasmacytoma. It can appear anywhere in the body as a single tumor or in multiple masses. If not diagnosed or treated early, a plasmacytoma may become multiple myeloma.

Symptoms of blood cancers such as multiple myeloma or plasmacytoma may include:

• Bone pain, usually in the breast or hip bone
• Fever
• Anemia and fatigue
• Leg pain
• Hypercalcemia symptoms, such as weak muscles or digestive issues

The diagnostic process starts with your doctor performing a physical exam and reviewing your medical history and symptoms. Your doctor may order an X-ray, computerized tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan or bone scan. You may also need to have your blood drawn and tested for high levels of calcium in your blood, your blood cell count and to see if certain cancerous proteins appear in your bloodstream.

Your treatment plan for blood cancers may include some or all of the following options:

• Chemotherapy — A combination of medications that can kill fast-growing cells in the body.
• Radiotherapy — Sometimes referred to as radiation therapy, this treatment may use radiation beams or the placement of radioactive material into the body to help slow the growth of or kill cancer cells.
• Medications — Your doctor may prescribe drugs that can help reduce pain, bone loss or fatigue or prevent infection.
• Surgery — Your doctor may recommend surgery to treat related bone fractures or to help maintain the stability of your hip, spine or shoulder