What is multiple myeloma?
Cancer could be present when there is an abnormal cell growth in any part of the body. The bone marrow of our body produces a type of bold white cell called plasma cells. When these plasma cells show abnormal growth, it causes a type of cancer called myeloma or multiple myeloma (as it affects multiple parts or regions of the body). It is a rare and incurable disease. In the US, the risk of getting this cancer is 0.7% or 1 in 143 people.
As multiple myeloma does not have any permanent cure, there is a chance of it recurring. This reoccurrence of cancer even after treatment or remitting, is known as relapsed multiple myeloma.
Even though the disease is incurable, patients with relapsed multiple myeloma need to consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Treatment for myeloma
Treatment would depend on the stage of cancer and the overall health of the patient. Introduction of new therapies and drugs helps in delaying the relapse after initial treatment. Controlling and destroying myeloma cells or curing ailments caused due to myeloma, helps to increase the chances of the patient’s survival by a few years.
The following medications are conventionally used in treating multiple myeloma:
Unfortunately, even with all these medications, a relapse cannot be prevented. Researchers are finding ways to extend the life of patients by increasing the remission period. For killing cancer cells, high doses of chemotherapy are considered more effective. But it has dangerous side effects such as damaging healthy cells in the bone marrow. Though, this can be corrected through a stem cell transplant. Stem cell transplant has been effective in preventing relapsed multiple myeloma.
Patients are advised to go for regular health checkups even during remission period. So that if and when cancer relapses, doctors can begin immediate treatment based on the cause of relapse and the overall health of the patient. Autologous stem cell transplant, allogeneic stem cell transplant, targeted therapy and maintenance therapy are some of the treatment options that are available for relapsed multiple myeloma.
The most important thing for patients is to keep themselves well informed. With proper preparation and treatment, the situation can be controlled.
Diet is an important part of a type 2 diabetes treatment plan. Depending on the diabetes diagnosis and the current diet plan, one might need to make minor changes to the diet or a complete revamping of the same.
The right diet for type 2 Diabetes
The ideal diet for type 2 diabetes includes more fiber and less fatty and refined foods. There aren’t many difficult diet adjustments that people with type 2 diabetes need to make. The diet plan is easy to follow. But yes, one needs to be careful about what you eat.
Foods to eat –
Foods to avoid –
Other tips –
Along with a healthy diet, one needs to exercise regularly to control the blood sugar. Otherwise, the type 2 diabetes treatment may not work well. It is possible to manage the condition without any diabetes medication with just the right diet and exercise plan.
Regular toys for kids are a thing of the past these days where technology has replaced every single aspect of our lives. Today, exclusive kids’ electronics have become very popular in the market, and are being used for both entertainment and learning purposes. They are instrumental in shaping the childhood of kids through an interactive way of gaining knowledge. Some kids’ electronics that are being purchased all over the world include the following products:
Mouth cancer is caused due to rapid, uncontrolled growth of cells within the local region of your mouth. When cancer starts spreading to other areas of the mouth, neck, and head, the condition is referred to as metastatic mouth cancer.
In metastatic mouth cancer, the cells grow out of control due to mutation and destroy healthy cells in the vicinity. Cancer can also spread to other parts of the body using the circulatory or lymph node system in severe cases. In most cases, cancer is detected at a later stage that reduces the chances of survival.
Common signs and symptoms of mouth cancer
All these symptoms commonly affect your lips, gums, tongue, the lining, roof, and floor of your mouth. They are identifiable in the early stages of the condition when you go for a routine dental checkup. However, the symptoms are far more severe once cancer reaches the lymph nodes. Treatment at this stage often yields poor results as the body is unable to cope with the rapid cell growth and good tissue degradation
Diagnosis and treatment options for metastatic mouth cancer
A physical examination will reveal the abnormalities in your mouth. Diagnosis includes the removal of tissue for further analysis and laboratory testing to determine the extent of the damage. Sentinel node biopsy is a common and effective diagnostic procedure. The tests are done to determine the stage of mouth cancer as advanced stages of metastasis cannot be cured. Alternative methods for diagnosis include the use of the camera in endoscopy and imaging tests including X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and PET scans to determine viable treatment options.
Treatment options
The stage and location of the mouth cancer will also determine the type of treatment options to make the condition to a certain extent. In the earlier stages, surgery is a viable option to remove the tumor and reconstruct areas of your mouth due to cancer.
In advanced stages of cancer, medical professionals recommend radiation therapy that uses high energy beams to kill the cancer cells. Chemotherapy is an alternative to radiation and uses chemicals to destroy the cancer cells to prevent the mutation from spreading. Targeted medications are also used in combination with chemotherapy and radiation therapy to gradually destroy the cancerous cells.