pathoscribe

Written by Shaurya Gulani | Art by Anoushka Pandya

Multiple myeloma is a disease that has increased by 125% worldwide since 1990. Compared to other cancers, multiple myeloma is relatively rare. However, it is becoming more common.  

Experts credit the extraordinary increase in multiple myeloma to the fact that people are simply living longer. To further elaborate, this cancer is referred to as a “cancer of advanced age”, meaning it is a disease that has historically developed in old age. 

Multiple myeloma is often associated with bone marrow cancer although it is technically a blood cancer. This is because it is a blood cancer that affects a specific type of white blood cell found in bone marrow, called plasma cells. These malignant plasma cells grow and replace the naturally occurring cells in the bone marrow. Men statistically are more likely to get multiple myeloma than women, which researchers believe to be due to men having a higher rate of obesity, smoking, and drinking. 

Multiple myeloma is an especially difficult condition because of its complexity. Research dictates that it is very common for patients to relapse or become resistant to treatment. Most patients with cancer have symptoms such as bone fractures or pain, low red cell counts, tiredness, kidney problems, and high calcium levels. However, many initially do not have any symptoms. This makes this type of cancer especially hard to identify early on. 

Currently, there is no cure for this cancer. However, through research, there has been significant advancement in treatment methods. Initially, the only available treatment was chemotherapy. Currently, there are advanced stem cell transplants and targeted therapies consisting of multi-drug regimens. Blake Bartlett, Ph. D., shared, “About 20 years ago, the life expectancy was around two to three years, but today it is at least five or seven years, with many patients with standard-risk disease at 10+ years.”

In conclusion, while this once rare disease is becoming more common, researchers have been working toward and are continuing to make significant advances in treatment methods. Prominent biomedical engineering companies such as Johnson & Johnson are achieving progress by focusing on clinical studies to integrate the upcoming generation of treatments into standard care. Most experts believe that a cure is out there just waiting to be found. There is great hope in testing different sequences, combinations, and alterations of multiple treatments to ultimately present a regulated delivery or cure for patients.

Works Cited:

Brody, Barbara. “5 Things We Now Know about Multiple Myeloma.” JNJ.Com, JNJ.com, 31 July 2024, http://www.jnj.com/innovation/5-things-we-now-know-about-multiple-myeloma. “Who Gets Multiple Myeloma?” WebMD, WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/cancer/multiple-myeloma/who-gets-multiple-myeloma. Accessed 17 Sept. 2024.