World Myeloma Day is celebrated this year on Saturday, 30 March. It is an opportunity to discuss important patient issues related to haematopoietic cell transplantation and to discuss the concerns of patients with plasmocytic myeloma.
Plasmocytic myeloma is a disease with many faces
Plasmocytic myeloma (multiple myeloma or colloquially 'myeloma') is a malignant tumour of the haematopoietic system, originating from mature cells of the immune system called plasmocytes. Approximately 1,500 people are diagnosed with the disease each year in Poland. An estimated 9,500 patients are treated for it. Myeloma accounts for approximately 1-2% of all malignancies and 10-15% of haematological malignancies. The disease is characterised by the progressive proliferation of malignant altered plasmocytes in the bone marrow and the weakening of bone structure, especially in the spine, ribs, sternum, pelvis and skull. In addition to damage to the bones and kidneys, the development of the disease is followed by impaired haematopoietic function of the bone marrow and a propensity for infections. The name myeloma covers a number of diseases that have similar symptoms, but which are caused by different acquired genetic changes. Treatment brings remission, but individual cells can hide in different parts of the body and develop resistance mechanisms to treatment. After a certain period of time, they become active and then we speak of relapse, the disease has to be treated again, there is remission, another relapse, treatment, remission. Myeloma is a relapsing disease and you have to accept that. That is why it is crucial that doctors can decide which drug will be most effective for the patient. The more treatment options there are, the greater the chance of a better quality and longer life for myeloma patients.
Wishes on the occasion of World Myeloma Day
Myeloma patients are also young people who work and can actively participate in family or social life, it is not a disease of the elderly only. So if patients had received better treatment before transplantation, they could have benefited from it, achieved remission and lived for many years. Today, on World Myeloma Day, patients want to show that it is possible to live with the disease, that they have dreams, plans.
See what Polish plasmocytic myeloma patients' wishes and expectations are:
click film: World Myeloma Day
click film: Wedding gift. The story of a patient with plasmocytic myeloma (The story of Kuba, who had the first symptoms of myeloma on his wedding day and ended up in the ED instead of at the wedding)
(press release)