| e myeloma (also known as MM, myeloma, plasma cell | | | | Unexplained fractures |
| myeloma, or as Kahler's disease after Otto Kahler) is | | | | Feeling very thirsty |
| a type of cancer of plasma cells which are immune | | | | Bone or back pain |
| system cells in bone marrow that produce antibodies. | | | | Symptoms of anemia (such as tiredness, shortness |
| Its prognosis, despite therapy, is generally poor, and | | | | of breath, and fatigue) |
| treatment may involve chemotherapy and stem cell | | | | If you have any of the above symptoms, it is |
| transplant. It is part of the broad group of diseases | | | | important to see your doctor as soon as possible. |
| called hematological malignancies. | | | | But remember, many of these symptoms can occur |
| Accordingly, in the USA 15,980 new cases are | | | | in other conditions. Most people with the above |
| expected to be diagnosed in 2005. At present there | | | | symptoms will not have myeloma. |
| are more than 50,000 people in the United States | | | | Occasionally myeloma will be picked up from a routine |
| living with multiple myeloma. | | | | blood test, when the person has no symptoms. |
| Causes of Myeloma | | | | Treatment of Myeloma |
| Although the causes of myeloma are unknown, | | | | Some people with cancer use complementary and |
| research is going on all the time into the possible | | | | alternative medicine (CAM) to ease stress or to |
| causes of the disease. Myeloma, like other cancers, is | | | | reduce side effects and symptoms: |
| not infectious and cannot be passed on to other | | | | * An approach is generally called complementary |
| people. Several factors have been linked to myeloma, | | | | medicine when it is used along with standard |
| including genetic abnormalities, exposures to certain | | | | treatment. |
| chemicals and other conditions in the workplace | | | | * An approach is called alternative medicine when it is |
| (petrochemical industry workers, leather workers, | | | | used instead of standard treatment. |
| book binders, cosmetologists, shipyard workers, | | | | Acupuncture, massage therapy, herbal products, |
| metallurgic industry workers), exposure to very large | | | | vitamins or special diets, visualization, meditation |
| doses of radiatio | | | | Because standard treatment may not control |
| Symptoms of Myeloma | | | | myeloma, you may want to talk to your doctor |
| Some Symptoms of Myeloma : | | | | about taking part in a clinical trial. Clinical trials are |
| Bleeding problems | | | | research studies of new treatment methods. The |
| Weight loss | | | | section on "The Promise of Cancer Research" has |
| Nausea or constipation | | | | more information about clinical trials. |
| Increased susceptibility to infection | | | | Read out Home remedies. |