How to deal with relapsed multiple myeloma
Are you aware that patients with myeloma can have a relapse even after treatment? Multiple myeloma does not have any cure yet, so the chances of a relapse are hard to avoid. Relapsed myeloma is also known as recurrent myeloma. When you have relapsed multiple myeloma, the first thing you must do is consult your doctor. Discussing the possible treatments that are available with your doctors will help you deal with this disease effectively.
If you do have relapsed multiple myeloma, it could mean that your previous treatment failed to achieve the effective results. It is therefore advisable to seek a second opinion before proceeding with any of the treatments available.
- Medications : Various medicines are available in the market to treat relapsed multiple myeloma. These include precision medicines, IMiDs (immunomodulatory drugs), proteasome inhibitors, alkylating agents (chemotherapy) and steroids.
- High-dose Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant: A high dose of chemotherapy works effectively in killing cancerous cells. However, high doses of chemotherapy also destroy the cells in your bone marrow. It is dangerous as these cells ultimately mature to red blood cells. To tackle this, a stem cell transplant could be necessary for the body to function properly.
Relapsed multiple myeloma is quite common in patients who have previously had this disease. The above treatments will help to keep the myeloma in check and prevent the growth of cancerous cells. If necessary, you may consult more than one doctor to understand and decide the best treatment procedure.