Other treatments for multiple myeloma include the following:

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Bone Marrow Transplantation]]>

Bone marrow is a soft, sponge-like materiel found inside certain bones, such as the heads of the femur and humerus, the sternum, and the hip bones. Bone marrow contains immature cells called stem cells. Stem cells can mature into blood cells (white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets), which are often damaged by cancer.

For a stem cell transplant, stem cells from the peripheral blood or bone marrow are collected (harvested) and placed in frozen storage prior for treatment of the cancer with high-dose chemotherapy. Once chemotherapy treatment is complete, the stem cells are put back into your body; they enter your blood stream and travel to your bone marrow where they replace damaged stem cells and begin to make healthy blood cells. If your own stem cells are used, the transplant is called autologous. If a donor's cells are used, it is called an allogeneic transplant.

Effectiveness

Most patients continue to show evidence of multiple myeloma even after bone marrow transplantation. And almost all patients eventually relapse (develop myeloma again).

Special Considerations

One to three percent of patients die during treatment when the patient’s own cells are used. When donor cells are used, the rate increases to greater than 20%. Autologous transplantation is obviously safer, but both have risks, and neither has been shown to be a cure.

When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider

Call the doctor if your develop any of the following:

  • Signs of infection, such as fever, cough, runny nose, or red or swollen skin
  • Signs of abnormal bleeding, such as ]]>nosebleeds]]> or bleeding gums

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Biologic Therapy

Biologic therapies repair, stimulate, or enhance the body’s response to cancer by affecting the immune system. These therapies can be used to fight cancer or to lessen the side effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments.

Interferon is one biologic agent used to treat multiple myeloma. Interferon may be used with chemotherapy to help prolong the remission, slowing the speed with which myeloma cells grow.

Effectiveness

Interferon may be able to increase survival by about 10%, or by a couple of months.

Side Effects

Side effects of interferon include fever, chills, headache, malaise, loss of appetite, and muscle aches.

When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider

Call the doctor if your develop any of the following:

  • Any of the side effects mentioned above
  • Any new or unusual symptoms

Anti-angiogenesis Therapy

Angiogenesis is the growth of new blood vessels. Some cancer tumors generate new blood vessels to increase their blood supply so that they can live and continue to grow. Anti-angiogenesis therapy attempts to block the blood supply to the tumor, and subsequently kill the cancerous tumor.

One anti-angiogenesis drug used to treat multiple myeloma is thalidomide. It blocks a substance needed for blood vessels to develop. The medication is taken by mouth, generally 200 mg to 800 mg a day. Not all patients respond to thalidomide, however. Those who do may experience fatigue, rash, numbness or weakness, dizziness and constipation as side effects.

Effectiveness

Thalidomide is still under investigation in the treatment of multiple myeloma. It is unclear how effective it is.

Side Effects

Thalidomide may cause the following side effects:

  • Drowsiness
  • Neuropathy, pain, tingling, or numbness in the feet or hands
  • Dizziness

Special Considerations

Thalidomide was taken off the market years ago because it caused birth defects. You cannot take it if you are pregnant or trying to become a parent. You must use two different methods of birth control while taking this drug. Men must wear a condom. Thalidomide was brought back to treat myeloma and other diseases. Its use is restricted to certain doctors who are registered as participating in an US Food and Drug Administration safety program. Discuss risks and benefits of any treatment regimen with your doctor.

When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider

Call the doctor if your develop any of the following:

  • Dizziness
  • Pain, tingling, or numbness in the feet or hands
  • Seizure activity
  • Skin rash
  • Fever

Plasmapheresis]]>

Plasmapheresis may be done if your blood has become too thick from the presence of abnormal antibodies created by multiple myeloma. Plasmapheresis is a process that separates the fluid part of the blood, called plasma, and removes it from your body. This part of the blood contains the abnormal antibodies.

For this procedure, you can lie in a bed or sit in a reclining chair. A small, thin tube (catheter) is inserted into a large vein, usually the one in the inside of your elbow, and another tube is placed in the opposite hand or foot. Blood flows out through the tube in your arm and into a device called a cell separator. The separator removes the plasma (and its antibodies) from the blood, replaces it with fluids, and then returns the blood to your body through the second tube. This is a continuous procedure that takes several hours. Only a small amount of blood is actually outside of your body at any one time during the procedure. Plasmapheresis can be uncomfortable but is usually not painful.

Effectiveness

Plasmapheresis is used to help control symptoms of multiple myeloma. It is not a curative treatment, and its long-term benefits are not known.