Can you survive myeloma

A high level of calcium in the blood is known as hypercalcemia. Too much calcium in the blood can cause low energy, sickness, dehydration , and constipation.

Multiple myeloma and its treatments can also damage the kidneys. If the kidneys stop working properly, a person may experience a range of symptoms including tiredness , itchy skin, swollen ankles, losing weight or not wanting to eat, and nausea. The immune system protects the body from disease, so a person may become more susceptible to serious infections. If a person has symptoms of an infection, such as a raised temperature and increased heart rate, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Many of these symptoms can be managed with medication and treatment. A person with multiple myeloma will need regular checkup appointments to monitor the progression of the disease and whether treatment is working. People with multiple myeloma should always seek medical attention if their symptoms change or get worse. While there is no cure for multiple myeloma, treatment is available. Treatment can also help with symptoms caused by multiple myeloma, such as bone pain and lack of energy.

A person with multiple myeloma that is stage 2 or higher will probably be offered medication to help keep their bones strong if the cancer has weakened them. A combination of drugs, including chemotherapy drugs, usually works best.

Multiple myeloma stops stem cells from working properly. These are the cells that create new blood cells. A stem cell transplant replaces diseased stem cells with healthy ones and is often used to treat this form of cancer. A person with multiple myeloma is likely to have a low blood count. This means that they have fewer blood cells than average and may need a transfusion.

Antibiotics and painkillers can help to treat any infections and relieve pain. Clinical trials help medical professionals find better ways to treat illness and disease. A person having treatment for multiple myeloma may be asked to take part in a clinical trial to test new treatments and medications. Living with cancer can be challenging, so it helps to have support from friends, family, and support groups with other people who have multiple myeloma.

People may also find support from charitable organizations and online communities. There are some lifestyle changes that a person with multiple myeloma can make to help them cope with symptoms. These include:. People can also choose some complementary therapies, such as massage or meditation, to reduce stress and improve their overall well-being. It is essential to use these therapies alongside traditional cancer treatment.

The average life expectancies for people with multiple myeloma are only approximations, as each person is different and will react to treatment differently. Living for longer than the average is possible, and treatments are constantly advancing through clinical trials.

They are also less likely to participate in clinical trials, which can give people early access to medication that might extend their survival or significantly improve their quality of life. During a clinical trial of the multiple myeloma drug Ninlaro ixazomib , for instance, which was approved by the U. Food and Drug Administration in , Black participants accounted for only 13 of the people involved.

Together with the National Black Church Initiative , the society has launched a program called Myeloma Link , aimed at providing African-American communities with improved access to the best available treatments and clinical trials. For people with multiple myeloma, the more experience their medical center or physician has with this rare kind of cancer, the better the prognosis. A study published in February in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that people treated for multiple myeloma at centers seeing 10 new patients per year had a 20 percent higher risk of death than those treated at centers seeing 40 new patients per year.

Adding to the evidence, a study published in December in the journal Blood found that people with multiple myeloma who saw a specialist at a National Cancer Institute—designated comprehensive cancer center had better overall survival than those who saw a community oncologist.

By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Health Tools. Multiple Myeloma. Reviewed: August 3, Medically Reviewed. Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking. Cancer Stat Facts: Myeloma. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. Early Treatment of Smoldering Multiple Myeloma.

The 5-year survival rate tells you what percent of people live at least 5 years after the cancer is found. Percent means how many out of Survival rates have steadily increased over time, so the 5-year survival rate may underestimate the impact of recent progress made in the treatment of this disease. For instance, it is known that survival rates are higher in younger people than in older people. It is important to remember that statistics on the survival rates for people with multiple myeloma are an estimate.

The estimate comes from annual data based on the number of people with this cancer in the United States. Also, experts measure the survival statistics every 5 years. So the estimate may not show the results of better diagnosis or treatment available for less than 5 years. Talk with your doctor if you have any questions about this information.

Learn more about understanding statistics. The next section in this guide is Medical Illustrations.