Stage-Wise Treatments for Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects the white blood cells of the body. Also known as plasma cells, these help to produce antibodies that identify and attack germs and thus, prevent infection. In multiple myeloma, the cancer cells accumulate in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy blood cells. These cancer cells produce anomalous proteins that cause further complications. The condition is categorized into various stages and the different stages of multiple myeloma require different methods of treatment. In this article, we will talk about the various treatment options available to help control the disease. Targeted therapy: This form of treatment is usually used to treat the initial stages of the condition. In this, several medicines are administered that block the adequate functioning of cancer cells, causing the myeloma cells to die. These medicines may be given to the patient intravenously or in pill form. Some of the most commonly used targeted therapy medicines are ixazomib, carfilzomib, and bortezomib. Biological therapy: This is another type of therapy that uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells. There are several medicines, such as thalidomide and pomalidomide, that boost the immune system to recognize and attack the myeloma cells.