The prognosis for multiple myeloma varies based on the stage of cancer, with early stages having a higher chance of recovery. Treatment options include chemotherapy and radiation, with experimental treatments also available. Other factors that influence prognosis include patient health, age, and initial response to treatment. Without treatment, life expectancy can be as short as six months.
The prognosis for multiple myeloma can vary based on several factors. In the worst case, the doctor may deem the disease irreparable and can only give a poor prognosis for survival. If the cancer is diagnosed at an earlier stage, there is a higher chance of a good prognosis.
Generally, if patients have early stages of cancer, the prognosis for multiple myeloma is likely to involve possible recovery. This may mean that the cancer cells have not yet spread or that any plasmacytomas – tumor-like clusters of plasma cells – can be easily removed. Chemotherapy and radiation are common choices for treatment, but experimental treatments may also be offered. The prognosis for the first stage may be good, but patients still have a life expectancy of 62 months on average.
If the disease is contracted in its second stage, the prognosis may still be good, but the number of cancer cells is increasing. Life expectancy is reduced to 45 months and similar treatments can also be performed. The prognosis for multiple myeloma in its third and final stages can be very dismal, as the cancer cells have not only added to themselves but have also spread to different organs. Many complications can occur in this final stage, such as a decrease in red blood cells, an increase in blood calcium, and the fatal progression of plasmacytomas in the bones. Aggressive and more experimental treatment can still be done, but the patient may only be given two years or less to live.
Without any treatment, a patient may have a life expectancy as short as six months. The prognosis for multiple myeloma can vary whether the cancer is active or inactive. An active diagnosis, usually in the first two stages, means the patient is experiencing telltale symptoms and should receive treatment as soon as possible. A patient with inactive multiple myeloma shows no warning signs and the cancer is growing more slowly. In this case, a patient can live up to 10 years, with some treatments to keep the cancer at bay.
Other factors that influence the prognosis for multiple myeloma include patient health, age, and initial response to treatment. The presence of specific antibodies can also increase the chances of recovery. Any damage, however, to vital organs such as the kidney and liver can lead to a negative prognosis. If the cancer comes back, life expectancy also decreases.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
