This disease attacks plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that produces antibodies to fight infection.
Multiple myeloma is the second most common blood cancer in the world. Photo: Shutterstock.
The multiple myeloma is a type of cancer of the blood that affects the hematological system, produces complications in the kidneys and bones and its symptoms are difficult to differentiate from other diseases.
Instead of cells healthy, malignant versions appear that multiply and begin to produce abnormal antibodies, known as M protein or monoclonal protein, which damage different parts of the body. That is why the disease has the word “multiple” in its name.
Back painmain symptom
Patients usually feel, before any other symptoms, low back pain, a fairly generic condition that can be the result of a simple night’s sleep in an uncomfortable position, an intense workout in the gym, or many other day-to-day factors. But the low back pain It is also considered as the main symptom of this cancer rare.
It was precisely this malaise that led merchant Luiz Fernando Fontenele, 37, to embark on a long journey of examinations and medical consultations until he discovered the disease. “I was in a lot of pain and only seven months after suffering the first fracture I received the diagnosis. I raised the suspicion myself because I had read about the symptoms on the internet,” he recalls.
Luiz Fernando suffered a relapse after receiving a heart transplant cells mother. Photo: BBC.
As with Luiz Fernando, the disease can lead to fractures, as it leaves the bones weaker; anemia due to excess plasma cells in the bone marrow, which generate a reduction in the number of cells blood formers; and in more severe cases, kidney failure, due to the damage it causes to the kidney tubules.
And cancer rare
Although it is rare, it is the second cancer of the most common blood in the world. The disease is more common in people over 60 years of age, but it is also diagnosed in younger people.
The most emblematic case in world literature happened in Brazil.
An 8-year-old boy, resident of Salvador, Bahia, was diagnosed with the disease. According to the IMF organization (International Myeloma Foundation Latin America), he was the first child in history to receive the diagnosis.
The multiple myeloma it can be detected by a urine test or a blood test called serum protein electrophoresis, ordered when symptoms indicate inflammatory disease, autoimmune disease, acute or chronic infection, liver or kidney disease.
“Although I consider that the examination is not routinely necessary for all people -because it could generate public spending that would subtract resources from the fight against other diseases-, I consider it unacceptable that a patient can remain with symptoms for so long, and that, due to the lack of knowledge of professionals who are not specialists, do not have an examination request that leads to diagnosis”, says Angelo Maiolino, professor of hematology at UFRJ (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro).
After the first symptoms, 29% of patients with multiple myeloma in Brazil it takes a year to receive a diagnosis and 28% wait even longer, according to a survey by Abrale (Brazilian Association of Lymphoma and Leukemia).
“I have seen cases of people who were on dialysis, with very compromised kidneys, who only discovered the disease three years later,” says Maiolino.
Evolution of treatments
From the first diagnosis of multiple myelomain the eighteenth century, medicine has advanced in the evolution of both the biological knowledge of the disease and the treatments, which today allow patients with this type of cancer live longer and in better health.
The disease has no cure, but in many cases there are treatments that allow patients to live well, with good control of symptoms. “It’s like they have a chronic disease like diabetes, hypertension,” says Maiolino. Early intervention, according to the doctor, is the best way to prevent the progression of the disease from irreversibly compromising the health of patients.
“We use one type of treatment for each stage of the disease, but if the condition is discovered late, the patient will not be able to reap the benefits of the early stages of care,” he explains.
Another very common option is the indication of transplantation of cells mother. Before transplantation, chemotherapy or radiation therapy is used to make room for the existing bone marrow (where the body makes blood, white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets) to create new marrow.
The new bone marrow is a gelatinous liquid that can come from a donor or from the patient. Luiz Fernando was transplanted, but suffered a relapse and the disease returned.
“It was more difficult than receiving the diagnosis. I have a specific treatment, with a combination of medications every 28 days in a hospital environment and every 21 days at home. I discovered the multiple myeloma at 28 years old and I can’t remember going a day without pain. It’s hard, but we learn to live with it. The combination of medications allows me to have a normal life.”
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