Multiple Myeloma
Cancer comes in many forms and severity, and nearly everyone can relate to cancer in one way or another. One specific cancer of the bone has affected many today, and the number of cases is increasing every year. “Multiple myeloma is the most common primary bone cancer among U.S. adults aged 70 years and older, and the incidence of the disease is increasing” (Reisenbuckler, 2014, p. 391). Because this disease is increasing, it is important to know exactly what multiple myeloma is, how imaging can help diagnose and detect multiple myeloma, and what the treatment options are for multiple myeloma.
“Multiple myeloma is a widespread malignancy of plasma cells that may be associated with bone destruction, bone marrow failure, hypercalcemia, …show more content…
B-cells differentiate into plasma cells which are mainly found within the bone marrow. Bone marrow is found in many types of bones including long bones such as the femur and humerus, and flat bones such as the bones of the cranium and the scapula (American Cancer Society, 2014). When plasma cells continue to grow, it can create the disease called an isolated plasmacytoma which means there is only one tumor, but when there are a multitude of these tumors, it is termed multiple myeloma. (American Cancer Society, 2014). Normally, plasma cells can produce several different types of antibodies for different types of infections which aid in fighting the infection. In multiple myeloma, the cancerous plasma cells only produce one type of antibody. Since the cancerous cells keep rapidly dividing and creating more cancerous cells, the normal plasma cells become crowded out, and the body is no longer able to produce the many different types of antibodies needed to fight …show more content…
They have to go through continual checkups to track the progression of the cancer. Follow up appointments are like any other doctor’s appointment. Doctors will check the well-being of the patient by examining the patient for any new or recurring symptoms of the cancer, and ordering tests such as lab tests, CT scans, or x-rays to determine if additional treatment needs to take place. (American Cancer Society, 2014). The CT and x-ray exams will determine if the bony lesions have progressed to a worse stage. By knowing this, the doctors will be able adjust medications as
Cancer comes in many forms and severity, and nearly everyone can relate to cancer in one way or another. One specific cancer of the bone has affected many today, and the number of cases is increasing every year. “Multiple myeloma is the most common primary bone cancer among U.S. adults aged 70 years and older, and the incidence of the disease is increasing” (Reisenbuckler, 2014, p. 391). Because this disease is increasing, it is important to know exactly what multiple myeloma is, how imaging can help diagnose and detect multiple myeloma, and what the treatment options are for multiple myeloma.
“Multiple myeloma is a widespread malignancy of plasma cells that may be associated with bone destruction, bone marrow failure, hypercalcemia, …show more content…
B-cells differentiate into plasma cells which are mainly found within the bone marrow. Bone marrow is found in many types of bones including long bones such as the femur and humerus, and flat bones such as the bones of the cranium and the scapula (American Cancer Society, 2014). When plasma cells continue to grow, it can create the disease called an isolated plasmacytoma which means there is only one tumor, but when there are a multitude of these tumors, it is termed multiple myeloma. (American Cancer Society, 2014). Normally, plasma cells can produce several different types of antibodies for different types of infections which aid in fighting the infection. In multiple myeloma, the cancerous plasma cells only produce one type of antibody. Since the cancerous cells keep rapidly dividing and creating more cancerous cells, the normal plasma cells become crowded out, and the body is no longer able to produce the many different types of antibodies needed to fight …show more content…
They have to go through continual checkups to track the progression of the cancer. Follow up appointments are like any other doctor’s appointment. Doctors will check the well-being of the patient by examining the patient for any new or recurring symptoms of the cancer, and ordering tests such as lab tests, CT scans, or x-rays to determine if additional treatment needs to take place. (American Cancer Society, 2014). The CT and x-ray exams will determine if the bony lesions have progressed to a worse stage. By knowing this, the doctors will be able adjust medications as