Multiple Myeloma (2024)

FAQs

How long can a 70 year old live with multiple myeloma? ›

Unfortunately, the prognosis for multiple myeloma varies significantly depending on a person's age. “The five-year survival rate for people under 50 is around 71%, while for those aged 65 or older, it drops to about 47%,” Dr. Harb said.

While multiple myeloma doesn't yet have a cure and can be fatal, patients' life expectancies vary widely, according to Jens Hillengass, MD, Chief of Myeloma at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. “I have seen patients live from several weeks to more than 20 years after being diagnosed,” Dr.

The exact cause of multiple myeloma is not known and no avoidable risk factors have been found. However, certain things appear to make you more likely to develop the disease. Gender: Men are slightly more likely to develop myeloma. Race: Black people are twice as likely to develop myeloma than white people.

Multiple myeloma causes many symptoms, but bone pain often is the first symptom people notice. Other symptoms include: Weakness in your arms and legs and/or a sensation of numbness in your arms and legs.

The final stages of multiple myeloma can look different for everyone. As multiple myeloma progresses to end stages, you'll likely experience severe bone pain and extreme fatigue. Other common symptoms include loss of appetite, breathing problems, and unusual bleeding, such as frequent nose bleeds or bleeding gums.

Can People Live 20 Years or Longer with Myeloma? Yes, it is possible for individuals with multiple myeloma to live 20 years or even longer, especially with the advancements in treatment options and supportive care that have been made in recent years.

Progressive skeletal destruction is the hallmark of MM and responsible for principle morbidity in the disease. The spine is the most afflicted skeletal organ, and vertebral fractures have significantly contributed to its poor prognosis.

In multiple myeloma cases, stage 3 is the terminal stage. It can also be referred to as the distant stage, which means the cancer has spread beyond its initial location.

Is myeloma terminal? Although myeloma is not curable, it is not always considered terminal (something that cannot be cured and is likely to lead to someone's death). There are a number of effective treatments for myeloma patients, which can control the cancer and prolong life.

Queen Elizabeth II battled myeloma before her death. King Edward VIII also had throat cancer. Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, had breast and colon cancer.

Is multiple myeloma one of the worst cancers? ›

Is multiple myeloma one of the worst cancers? Like many other types of cancer, multiple myeloma has no cure. However, people with multiple myeloma can live for multiple years with treatment, and treatments are continuing to improve. Some people with multiple myeloma may experience remissions that last for years.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise announced Tuesday that he'd been diagnosed with multiple myeloma and that it was "very treatable." Newscaster Tom Brokaw also has the disease, and actor Roy Scheider, General Colin Powell and former vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro all had it when they died.

These are commons causes of back pain from multiple myeloma: A backache that lasts for months can mean multiple myeloma is harming the bones in your spine or ribs. Sudden, severe back pain can mean a fracture (break) or a collapsed vertebra. Your vertebrae are the bones that make up your spine.

The causes of myeloma are unknown. Certain chemicals, high levels of radiation (such as from working in a nuclear power plant) and viruses (such as HIV) have been linked to an increased risk of myeloma. Myeloma is not considered hereditary, so it is rare for more than one person in a family to be affected.

Some people have multiple myeloma for months or years before they even know they're sick. This earliest phase is called smoldering multiple myeloma. When you have it, you won't have any symptoms, but your test results will show: At least 10% to 59% of your bone marrow is made up of cancerous plasma cells.

In multiple myeloma cases, stage 3 is the terminal stage. It can also be referred to as the distant stage, which means the cancer has spread beyond its initial location.

around 85 out of every 100 (around 85%) will survive their myeloma for a year or more after diagnosis. around 55 out of every 100 (around 55%) will survive their myeloma for 5 years or more after diagnosis. around 30 out of every 100 (around 30%) will survive their myeloma for 10 years or more after they are diagnosed.

In such cases, your doctor will likely give you a combination of two to three immunomodulatory drugs (bortezomib, daratumumab, and lenalidomide). Along with this, they'll usually give you corticosteroids such as dexamethasone. This is called maintenance therapy. The goal is to keep your symptoms from getting worse.

The median overall survival [OS] used to be about 2 to 3 years, and patients had a significant burden on their quality of life with pain, fatigue, infections, hospitalizations, fractures, renal failures, and all of that end-organ damage. The quality of life was quite poor as patients passed away from the disease.