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[continued from previous update] I do not object to this treatment (well, given my condition and all!), but for personal reasons at least, I am interested in alternatives. There is ongoing debate about “frontline therapy” as one might expect: see this 2014/15 research article, “Frontline therapy of multiple myeloma” at http://www.bloodjournal.org/content/125/20/3076. The article is split into sections on “younger” and “older” patients (eligible for early ASCT, autologous stem cell transplant, therapy or not). The fact that I at 63 yrs of age am considered “younger” here does not bear upon my recommendation of the article! But it does mean I only read the first half. 🙂

This article boggles me, especially when they talk about life expectancy, because a cure has existed for this disease and all blood cancers for several decades. Its a harsh and dangerous treatment, but if successful it gives patients a chance at a long term life after cancer. Should it not be up to the patient to evaluate whether they would rather try to cure their disease with a bone marrow or stem cell transplant (like I did) rather than dying slowly with the “Standard Care” protocols over the short time frames discussed in this article? It is a crime not to give patients all their options, and it ought to be a law! Shame on any medical professionals that do not discuss this lifesaving option with every MM patient!

Stage 3 multiple myeloma: Life expectancy and outlook

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321048.php?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_country=US&utm_hcp=no&utm_campaign=MNT%20Daily%20Full%20%28non-HCP%20US%29%20-%20OLD%20STYLE%202018-02-27&utm_term=MNT%20Daily%20News%20%28non-HCP%20US%29

Multiple myeloma is a cancer that affects bone marrow and plasma cells. People do not usually have symptoms until they reach stage 3.