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Signs and Symptoms Bone pain, which occurs because of the effects of myeloma cells on the marrow, is often the first symptom of myeloma. Fractures may occur as a result of weakened bones. Additional early signs and symptoms of the disease may include anemia, recurrent infections or numbness or pain in the hands and/or feet (caused by a condition called "peripheral neuropathy"). People with myeloma may have no symptoms or they may tire more easily and feel weak. Return to top
Treatment The goals of treatment for people with myeloma are to reduce symptoms, to slow the progression of the disease and to provide prolonged remissions. The approach for treating each person with myeloma is customized, based on the extent of disease and the rate of disease progression. There have been significant treatment advances in recent years. People who have a slow-growing myeloma and no symptoms may not need treatment immediately. Some people need only supportive care to reduce symptoms of anemia, high blood calcium levels, infections and/or bone damage or osteoporosis. Patients who require myeloma-specific therapies may receive combination drug therapy, high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplant (autologous, allogeneic or reduced-intensity allogeneic), radiation therapy for local disease and/or new and emerging drug therapies as part of clinical trials. Return to top Survival Current statistical databases show that the overall five-year survival in persons with myeloma has shown a significant improvement since the 1960s: - The five-year relative survival has increased from 12 percent in 1960 to 1963 for whites to 38.5 percent from 1999 to 2006 for all races and ethnicities.
- The five-year survival for white males (40.9 percent) increased the most.
- The three-year survival rate as of January 1, 2007 was 58.1 percent**
** Treatment outcomes vary, even among patients with the same diagnosis. Individuals are encouraged to talk to their physicians for more information. In addition, these statistics may underestimate survival to a degree because they may be based on data that does not include outcomes of treatment with the most current options available. Newer agents and drug combinations, progress in stem cell transplantation, better supportive care and studies of new drugs in clinical trials are all contributing to improved outcomes and quality of life for people diagnosed with blood cancers. Return to top Approximately 10,650 deaths from myeloma are anticipated this year. Myeloma was the 7th most common cause of cancer death for African-American women and the 12th most common cause of cancer death for white women in 2003-2007. As reported in Cancer Facts & Figures for African Americans 2009-2010, the American Cancer Society estimated that approximately 3 percent of all cancer-related deaths among African Americans are expected to be caused by myeloma. From 2003 to 2007, the mortality rate for myeloma for men of African descent was nearly double the rate for white men (8.1 per 100,000 vs. 4.2 per 100,000). During the same time period, the mortality rate for women of African descent was more than twice the rate for white women (5.8 per 100,000 vs. 2.7 per 100,000). Mortality from myeloma has been decreasing from 1995 to 2007 (the most recent data available). The U.S. median age at death from myeloma is 75 years. It is 71 years for African-Americans and is 65 years for Hispanics. Return to top For more information about treatment and supportive care, please view, print or order the following free LLS publications: Return to top The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
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