Multiple Myeloma Stories
Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment
Explore below for in-depth multiple myeloma stories from our patients who share everything from first symptoms to navigating life with cancer. Also read our in-depth interview with experienced myeloma experts.
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells. Multiple myeloma occurs when plasma cells become cancerous and grow out of control. Normal plasma cells are found in the bone marrow and are an important part of the immune system.
»MORE: What is multiple myeloma?
“Multiple myeloma belongs to the group of diseases we think about when we think about blood cancers. Specifically, myeloma is a form of adult bone marrow cancer that comes about when plasma cells convert into malignant cells,” says Dr. Rafael Fonseca of Mayo Clinic.
Myeloma Stories
Explore our myeloma stories below, where patients describe first myeloma symptoms, what treatments they underwent, and navigating life with cancer.
Active Myeloma
Clay D., Multiple Myeloma
Diagnosis: Multiple myeloma
Cancer Details: Early stage multiple myeloma usually causes vague symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose
1st Symptoms: Persistent kidney issues, nausea
Treatment: chemo, radiation, stem cell transplant
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Carlos C., Light Chain Multiple Myeloma
Diagnosis: Multiple myeloma, light chain
Cancer Details: Early stage multiple myeloma usually causes vague symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose
1st Symptoms: Back pain and spasms
Treatment: Back surgery to fuse T1 and T2, chemotherapy (RVD) and stem cell transplant
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Jude A., Multiple Myeloma, Stage 3
Diagnosis: Multiple myeloma, stage 3
Cancer Details: Early stage multiple myeloma usually causes vague symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose
1st Symptoms: Pain in back, hips and ribs; difficulty walking
Treatment: Bilateral femoral osteotomy, reversal due to infection; chemotherapy
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Melissa V., Multiple Myeloma, Stage 3
Diagnosis: Multiple myeloma, stage 3
Cancer Details: Early stage multiple myeloma usually causes vague symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose
1st Symptoms: Frequent infections
Treatment: IVF treatment & Chemotherapy (RVD) for 7 rounds
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Scott C., Multiple Myeloma, IgG Lambda, Stage 3
Diagnosis: Multiple myeloma, IgG lambda
Cancer Details: Early stage multiple myeloma usually causes vague symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose
1st Symptoms: Pain in hips and ribs, night sweats, weight loss, nausea
Treatment: Clinical trial, chemo, kyphoplasty, stem cell transplant
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Smoldering Myeloma
Maui B., Smoldering Myeloma
Diagnosis: Smoldering myeloma
Cancer Details: Smoldering myeloma is pre-symptomatic or pre-treatment multiple myeloma
1st Symptoms: Inflammatory eye disease, uterine bleeding
Treatment: N/A
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Myeloma Doctors
Hear directly from experienced myeloma oncologists and specialists. They talk about myeloma in layman’s terms, describe the latest myeloma treatments, and what patients should be asking their doctors.
Dr. Irene Ghobrial, MD
Role: Clinical investigator and professor of hematological oncology
Focus: Multiple myeloma, Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia, early screening, clinical trials
Provider:Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Boston)
Dr. Rafael Fonseca, M.D.
Role: Consultant, Division of Hematology/Oncology; Dept. Chair, Internal Medicine; professor of medicine
Focus: Myeloma; defining sub-type distinctions | Clinical Trials, Selinexor, Darzalex
Provider: Mayo Clinic
Dr. James Berenson, Multiple Myeloma Specialist
Oncologist: Specializing in myeloma and other blood and bone disorders
Experience: 35+ years
Hospital/clinic size: Large private practice