Multiple myeloma ( Rustitsky-Claire disease ) is nothing more than a bone marrow tumor, which consists of plasma cells of different maturity. The description of this disease existed in the 19th century. Mostly the adult population and the elderly are affected.
Multiple myeloma is believed to be the outcome of a mutation of B-lymphocytes. The disease is based on the pathological overgrowth of plasma cells, which leads to the destruction of bone substance and bone destruction. As a result of ongoing processes, bone fractures and changes in their shape are frequent. Overgrown in large numbers, plasma cells produce paraprotein, causing an increase in protein in the blood. Hyperproteinemia often causes kidney damage with the development of renal failure. Delayed in the tubules, paraprotein causes nephrohydrosis and amyloidosis.
The development of the disease leads to pathological changes in the blood, impaired blood formation. In the blood picture, you can see anemia, a low content of platelets and white blood cells.
Manifestations of the disease
Multiple myeloma for a long time does not make itself felt, and the patient's condition can be relatively satisfactory. In the initial period of the disease, malaise, fatigue, asthenia appear. Usually the first symptom that prompts you to see a doctor is pain in the lower back, spine and bones, and the pain tends to increase. Further, symptoms associated with impaired hematopoiesis (anemia, thrombocytopenia) may develop, hemorrhagic syndrome, heart attacks, thromboses develop. At the height of the disease, symptoms are associated with increasing renal failure and hyperproteinemia.
Diagnostics
In the initial period, an increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate as a result of dysproteinemia is noted in the blood . With the progression of the process, anemia, a decrease in platelets and white blood cells appear. In the analysis of urine, large losses of protein are noted. A biochemical study of the composition of the blood determines an increase in total protein. With the phenomena of renal failure - an increase in creatinine and urea, an imbalance of electrolytes.
The diagnosis of multiple myeloma is made based on the result of the analysis of bone marrow cells. This is the main diagnostic measure. An auxiliary method is radiography of bone tissue to detect defects and deformations of bones, foci of osteoporosis. Conducting proteinograms is advisable.
Multiple Myeloma Treatment
If myeloma is found during the examination, the treatment of this disease today is an unresolved problem. This should be known. The life expectancy of patients with proper treatment and a relatively even course of the disease is about five years. In the treatment of this disease, medications are used that inhibit the development of the tumor (cytostatics). But these drugs only prolong the life of patients. At the beginning of treatment, they are prescribed in shock doses, at the end of the course they switch to maintenance treatment.
In combination with cytotoxic drugs, Prednisolone is used. Its use inhibits the destruction of bone tissue and has a positive effect with increasing calcium. Treatment regimens have been developed that include several drug combinations, different dosages depending on the severity and type of myeloma. Treatment results are evaluated three months after the start of chemotherapy.
When joining kidney failure, treatment with programmed hemodialysis may be required.
Perhaps the use of radiation therapy. It is prescribed for the treatment of limited tumor nodes located in the bones and soft tissues.