Myeloma

What is myeloma

Myeloma, also known as multiple myeloma, is a type of blood cancer. It starts in a type of blood cell called plasma cells. These cells are found in the bone marrow, which is spongy inside of our bones.^1,2 

How myeloma starts 

When plasma cells are working as they should, they make antibodies to protect our bodies against infection. When someone has multiple myeloma, the plasma cells don’t work as they should and the antibody they make isn’t useful.^1,2
The cause of myeloma is unknown, but there are some risk factors.  These are things that increase someone’s risk of getting it, and include being over 65 years old, being male or being black.^2,3 
In the UK, around 6,000 people are diagnosed with myeloma per year.⁴ 
*Estimate based on data from people diagnosed with myeloma in the UK between 2017 and 2019. 

Treatment options for myeloma 

There are many different treatments available for people with myeloma. Myeloma is treatable, but it isn’t curable. Therefore, treatment aims to:⁵

• Bring on ‘remission’ – which is known as a stable phase, where are few or no myeloma cells left in the body
• To manage symptoms of myeloma, such as bone and kidney damage, and improve day-to-day living 

Because myeloma isn’t curable, many people with myeloma will have periods of treatment separated by breaks. Each new treatment is called a ‘line of therapy’ or ‘line of treatment’. 

Different types of treatment for myeloma include:⁵

Targeted treatment

• These act on specific features of the cancer cells that help them to grow and survive⁶
• One type of targeted treatment is called ‘proteasome inhibitors’

Immunotherapy – including:⁷

• Immunomodulatory drugs, of which there are a few different ones that work in different ways
• Monoclonal antibodies, which recognise proteins on the outside of the myeloma cells to target and kill them

Stem cell transplants

• Stem cells are the start of all the other mature cells in our body.
• This treatment involves putting healthy stem cells into the body, so it can start producing normal plasma cells.
• The stem cells given to you may be your own (known as autologous) or from somebody else (known as allogeneic)

Chemotherapy

• These are anti-cancer medicines that kill myeloma cells⁸ 

Steroids

• These may be used to help kill myeloma cells, to make other treatments work better, or to help with symptoms of myeloma, such as swelling⁹

Your treatment plan will be specific to you. It’s important to speak with your healthcare team to fully understand your options and what to expect from your treatment. 

Remember that support is available and you’re not alone in this experience.