Multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma ( Rustitzky-Claire's disease ) is nothing but a bone marrow tumor, which consists of plasma cells of different maturity. The description of this disease existed in the XIX century. In general, the disease affects the adult part of the population and the elderly.

It is believed that multiple myeloma is the outcome of the mutation of B-lymphocytes. At the heart of the disease is the pathological proliferation of plasma cells, which leads to the destruction of bone substance and the destruction of bones. As a result of ongoing processes, fractures of bones and changes in their shape are frequent. Sprouted in large numbers, plasma cells produce paraprotein, causing an increase in protein content in the blood. Hyperproteinemia, often causes kidney damage with the development of the phenomena of renal failure. Postponed in the tubules, paraprotein, causes nephrohydrosis and amyloidosis.
The development of the disease leads to pathological changes in blood, disruption of hematopoiesis. 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 there is malaise, fatigue, asthenia. Usually, the first symptom prompting a doctor is pain in the lower back, spine and bones, and the pain tends to increase. Symptoms related to hematopoiesis (anemia, thrombocytopenia) may develop, hemorrhagic syndrome, internal infarctions, thromboses develop. At the height of the disease, symptoms are associated with increasing renal failure and hyperproteinemia.

Diagnostics

In the initial period in the blood there is an increase in the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation as a result of disproteinemia. With the progression of the process, anemia, a decrease in platelets and leukocytes appear. In the analysis of urine, large protein losses are noted. A biochemical study of the blood composition determines the increase in the total protein. At the phenomena of renal insufficiency - an increase in creatinine and urea, an imbalance of electrolytes.
The diagnosis of "multiple myeloma" is made on the basis of the result of the analysis of bone marrow cells. This is the main diagnostic exercise. An auxiliary method is the radiography of bone tissue to detect defects and deformities of bones, foci of osteoporosis. It is expedient to conduct a proteinogram.

Treatment of multiple myeloma

If myeloma is found during the examination, treatment of this disease for today is an unresolved problem. It 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 that inhibit the development of the tumor (cytotoxic drugs) are used. 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 supportive treatment.

In combination with cytostatic 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 combinations of the drug, different dosages depending on the severity and type of myeloma. The results of treatment are evaluated three months after the start of chemotherapy.

When adherence to renal failure is attached, treatment with hemodialysis may be required.

It is possible to use radiotherapy. It is prescribed for the treatment of limited tumor nodes located in bones and soft tissues.