Since patients may survive for many years post-diagnosis, clinicians have attempted to devise therapeutic approaches in myeloma that would relieve disabling symptoms, in particular severe bone pain, thereby improving quality of life. New therapies are still needed for myeloma bone disease. New targets have been identified and are being addressed in clinical trials.
Balloon kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that uses bone cement to stabilize the fracture, which in turn, reduces bone pain and helps increase the patient’s overall quality of life.
Approximately 80% of all patients with myeloma develop bone disease. In addition to bone disease, myeloma patients may develop a condition called hypercalcemia. Both myeloma bone disease and hypercalcemia can be treated with a group of drugs called bisphosphonates.
step 1: get the correct diagnosis
step 4: supportive care
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