Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that originates in your bone marrow’s plasma cells, which are a type of white blood cell. The prognosis for multiple myeloma varies with treatment. If not treated, multiple myeloma can cause unconsciousness, bone fractures, cardiac arrest, and renal damage or failure.
Your age and the stage of the disease when diagnosed will determine your outlook. Additionally, how sensitive you are to treatment will contribute to your multiple myeloma prognosis. Although there still is no cure for multiple myeloma, advances in treatment over the last decade, including stem cell transplants and targeted medications, have enhanced survival rates and outcomes associated with treatment.
The Course of Multiple Myeloma
The RISS is the system in which medical professionals use to classify multiple myeloma in stages. This system uses four criteria to stage your multiple myeloma.
The American Cancer Society. stages of multiple myeloma.
- Albumin levels: The most common protein in blood is albumin. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a chemical messenger that is elevated in multiple myeloma. Low albumin levels are caused by IL-6, which restricts albumin synthesis.
- The blood protein known as beta-2 microglobulin is produced by myeloma cells. As multiple myeloma worsens, the protein’s levels rise.
- An important energy-producing enzyme that helps break down lactate is called LDH. It is said to increase in LDH multiple myeloma as this cancer progresses in the body.
- Gene alterations: A type of genetic test will identify abnormalities in genes of myeloma cells that could be a cause of more aggressive forms of multiple myeloma.
Multiple myeloma progresses in three stages, which represent an amount of cancer present within the body.
Phase One
The first stage of multiple myeloma is stage 1. Those patients who are in stage 1 had higher albumin levels (3.5 grams per deciliter or more) and lower beta-2-microglobulin levels (less than 3.5 milligrams per liter). There are no high-risk genetic mutations in the cancer cells, and LDH levels are normal.
The individuals at this stage usually have very few or no symptoms of multiple myeloma and not too many cancer cells in their body.
Stage 2
Multiple myeloma at stage two is an intermediate stage. This means that the cancer is no longer in its early stage but is not yet at a more advanced stage, as indicated by the blood test and genetic markers of the disease falling between those of stages 1 and 3.
While albumin and LDH levels can vary, the beta-2-microglobulin levels are greater than 3.5 mg/liter but less than 5.5 mg/liter. There may or may not be genetic anomalies. The symptoms start to become somewhat apparent when cancer is in stage 2, meaning there is a moderate amount of it distributed throughout the body.
Stage 3:
This is the most progressed stage of multiple myeloma. The patients in this stage have high levels of LDH, high-risk genetic abnormalities in the cancer cells and/or high beta-2-microglobulin >5.5 mg/liter.
Multiple Myeloma Survival Rate Estimate
Multiple myeloma survival rates estimate the percentage of people who are likely to survive for a certain period after being diagnosed. Survival rate statistics can give you an idea of how the disease usually progresses, but they do not take into account things like general health, how well a patient responds to treatment, or new developments in treatment choices.
The five-year survival percentage of patients after the time of first diagnosis of multiple myeloma varies with the stage of the disease. In general, survival percentages are less favorable for advanced-stage patients and better for those with earlier stages of the disease. Important to remember that survival statistics only predict and not forecast the actual outcome of the patient.
The overall five-year relative survival rate for multiple myeloma is 61.1%, according to the most current data from 2014–2020.
Multiple myeloma patients diagnosed today may likely have a better prognosis than these statistics suggest. Survival rates and outcomes should continually improve as experts become increasingly knowledgeable about the disease, and available treatments become better at accomplishing their jobs.
Affecting Prognostic Factors
The expected course of multiple myeloma varies from person to person, which is known as the prognosis. Your prognosis may be influenced by a variety of factors, including the status of the disease and your overall health.
- Age: In general, younger patients do better than older adults. Younger patients are more likely to tolerate aggressive therapies, while older adults may have other medical problems that make treatment for multiple myeloma more complicated or limit their choices.
- General health: General health might influence the ability to take and tolerate the treatment. Underlying illnesses, for instance, diabetes and heart diseases, may impact the success and outcome of treatment.
- Disease stage: A patient with myeloma who is diagnosed at a more advanced stage typically has a poor prognosis. In most cases, cancer is easier to cure if found early.
- Genetic markers: Specific genetic indicators within the cancer cells can signify that myeloma may be the aggressive type. This in turn would alter the treatment course and affect the chances of recovery or even their overall prognosis.
- Treatment responsiveness: The people who positively respond to primary treatment techniques, such as chemotherapy or the transplant of stem cells, more often have longer prognostic periods.
- Complications: The prognosis and treatment options may be affected by complications such as bone fractures, hypercalcemia, and kidney injury.
Multiple Myeloma Living
Almost every aspect of life can be adversely affected, both physically and emotionally, by a multiple myeloma diagnosis. Fortunately, there are ways to help you live a happy life with multiple myeloma and to improve your physical and mental well-being:
- Follow your treatment schedule: The only way to ensure that your treatments work well and your symptoms remain at bay is to work closely with your health care team and to follow your treatment schedule.
- Nutrition should be on top of your list. Dieting with lots of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fiber, and whole grains can help maintain healthy gut microbiota and enhance the immune system, thus providing better results from the treatment.
- Doing it regularly, such as a yoga, swimming, or simply brisk walk, can help feel full of energy, maintain strength, maintain muscular strength, comfortlessness, and quality life itself. 19.
- A review of recent research on physical activity in multiple myeloma was conducted by Hillengass M, Joseph J, Mccarthy J, and Hillengass J. 2023;14(2):153-158; doi:10.6004/jadpro.2023.14.2.5; J Adv Pract Oncol
- Create a good support system: Your friends, family, and community can make you feel less lonely, improve your mood, and make it easier to live daily. Engage in activities you enjoy, talk about how you’re feeling, or ask help with daily tasks from your community.
- Seek mental health support: Cancer diagnosis is very stressful to receive. Joining a support group for multiple myeloma or talking to a therapist can provide a safe space for you to process and communicate your feelings and experiences with peers.
- Keep yourself updated: Experts are constantly improving their understanding of multiple myeloma and its treatment options. Talking to your healthcare provider about the latest drugs or clinical trials can be a source of hope and control while opening doors to potentially helpful treatments.
- Put self-care and relaxation first. You may reduce stress and enhance your general mental health and well-being by using relaxation techniques like yoga, massage, deep breathing exercises, and meditation.
