Multiple Myeloma
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Virginia Cancer Care
Ravneet Grewal, MD
Board Certified Medical Oncologist located in Reston, VA & Leesburg, VA
Multiple myeloma is a treatable but incurable form of cancer that almost exclusively affects men and women over age 45. Dr. Ravneet Grewal, a board-certified medical oncologist at Virginia Cancer Care, in Reston and Leesburg, Virginia, specializes in diagnosing and treating multiple myeloma. Although this form of cancer is uncommon, our exceptional team at Virginia Cancer Care are experts at creating individualized, comprehensive treatment plans. If you have symptoms of multiple myeloma, call either location or schedule a consultation online as soon as possible.
Multiple Myeloma Q & A
What is multiple myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is cancer of the plasma cells that causes them to multiply and crowd out healthy blood cells. Plasma cells are white blood cells found in your bone marrow. Since plasma cells normally help your body fight infection, cancerous cells that no longer produce helpful antibodies cause complications instead.
What are the symptoms of multiple myeloma?
Symptoms of multiple myeloma may be hard to detect at the early stages of the disease. Commonly, your bones, kidneys, immune system, and red blood cell count are affected.
If you experience symptoms, they often include one or more of the following:
- Fatigue, lethargy
- Nausea or vomiting and abdominal pain
- Weight loss and loss of appetite
- Numbness in your legs
- Frequent infections
- Constipation
- Mental fogginess or confusion
- Pain in your bones, spine, or chest
- Excessive thirst
- Unusual bleeding
What are the risk factors for multiple myeloma?
Although the exact cause of multiple myeloma has not been confirmed, specific risk factors for developing multiple myeloma include:
- Age (over 45)
- Genetics
- Obesity
- HIV and AIDS
- Exposure to certain chemicals or heavy metals
- Radiation exposure
- Some autoimmune disorders
If you have symptoms or risk factors, it’s critical to seek medical attention sooner rather than later to increase your number treatment options as early in the disease progression as possible.
How is multiple myeloma treated?
It’s possible to control multiple myeloma, so it doesn’t continue to spread through your body, but there’s no cure. After Dr. Grewal makes a diagnosis, this highly-skilled oncologist creates an individualized, comprehensive treatment plan to relieve your symptoms and treat the cancer. Your treatment plan may include one or more of the following:
- Chemotherapy
- Cancer medications
- Stem cell transplants
- Targeted therapy
Early stages of myeloma may not require immediate treatment. Our team explains all of our recommended treatment options to you. Then, you and your family can ask questions, make an informed decision, and decide how and when to begin treatment.
If you have symptoms of this type of cancer, call either of the Reston or Leesburg Virginia Cancer Care locations or schedule a consultation online.
