If there is bone involvement, as my husband seems to have due to pain in his ribs, lower back, and upper leg (no scans yet, just pain), do you always have to have radiation?
Also, what is the difference between lytic lesions and plasmacytomas?
We see the hematologist / oncologist on January 7th for the first time. I am sure he will schedule a bone marrow biopsy and bone scans. My husband was diagnosed via SPEP and Bence Jones test by our PCP.
Thanks
Forums
8 posts
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dogmom - Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Are bone lesions always treated with radiation?
Lesions in this context are areas in which the bone has been "eaten away" by the myeloma and is extremely weak. These are very common in myeloma patients and they're why some people end up with fractures that seemingly come out of nowhere (particularly in the spine). I don't believe that they're treated with radiation. Limiting them is the purpose behind medications such as Zometa, which prevent these bone lesions from forming.
Plasmacytomas are myeloma tumors that are found outside of the bone marrow. These are more like the kinds of tumors people get with other types of cancer. My understanding is that they are often treated with radiation that is focused on the area of the tumor. Back when my grandfather was dealing with myeloma in the late 1970's, this was the only treatment he received (or at least the only one our family is aware of).
Plasmacytomas are myeloma tumors that are found outside of the bone marrow. These are more like the kinds of tumors people get with other types of cancer. My understanding is that they are often treated with radiation that is focused on the area of the tumor. Back when my grandfather was dealing with myeloma in the late 1970's, this was the only treatment he received (or at least the only one our family is aware of).
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Mike F - Name: Mike F
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 18, 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Are bone lesions always treated with radiation?
Hi,
Just expanding a bit on what Mike wrote...
A plasmacytoma is a plasma cell tumor. Or, to put it another way, it's an abnormal growth consisting mainly of plasma cells. This kind of tumor can occur in the bone or outside the bone. When a plasmacytoma occurs outside the bone, it's known as an extramedullary plasmactyoma "extramedullary" means "outside the bone").
Lytic lesions are, as Mike mentioned, are areas of the bone where it has been eaten away by multiple myeloma or some other bone disease. The lesions are not the same as the tumors themselves, but often are the result of plasmacytomas in the bone.
Just expanding a bit on what Mike wrote...
A plasmacytoma is a plasma cell tumor. Or, to put it another way, it's an abnormal growth consisting mainly of plasma cells. This kind of tumor can occur in the bone or outside the bone. When a plasmacytoma occurs outside the bone, it's known as an extramedullary plasmactyoma "extramedullary" means "outside the bone").
Lytic lesions are, as Mike mentioned, are areas of the bone where it has been eaten away by multiple myeloma or some other bone disease. The lesions are not the same as the tumors themselves, but often are the result of plasmacytomas in the bone.
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JimNY
Re: Are bone lesions always treated with radiation?
Thanks for the info. So what I take away is it will depend if there are just lesions or plasmacytomas as to treatment.
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dogmom - Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Are bone lesions always treated with radiation?
If your husband's diagnosis is multiple myeloma, then the primary treatment he will receive for the disease will a combination of drugs, such as Revlimid, Velcade, and dexamethasone. In patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma, radiation therapy is not the primary treatment, but an additional treatment that may be offered to reduce pain or prevent fractures from occurring. The drugs are the primary treatment.
This is different than what is the case for people diagnosed with a single (solitary) plasmacytoma. In such a case, radiation is the primary and only therapy given to the patient, although surgery also may be done in cases where the plasmacytoma is outside the bone.
This is different than what is the case for people diagnosed with a single (solitary) plasmacytoma. In such a case, radiation is the primary and only therapy given to the patient, although surgery also may be done in cases where the plasmacytoma is outside the bone.
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JimNY
Re: Are bone lesions always treated with radiation?
Dogmom,
Often when patients start their treatment, their symptoms improve. The only symptom EJ had at diagnosis was rib pain. He was started on Velcade and dex and the pain resolved itself.
I agree with JimNY - radiation is not typically the primary treatment, but it could be an option if the pain doesn't get better after he starts treatment. I believe their are some negatives to radiation, but I'm not really sure what they are. Hopefully someone else will chime in!
Lyn
Often when patients start their treatment, their symptoms improve. The only symptom EJ had at diagnosis was rib pain. He was started on Velcade and dex and the pain resolved itself.
I agree with JimNY - radiation is not typically the primary treatment, but it could be an option if the pain doesn't get better after he starts treatment. I believe their are some negatives to radiation, but I'm not really sure what they are. Hopefully someone else will chime in!
Lyn
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Christa's Mom - Name: Christa's Mom
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September, 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Are bone lesions always treated with radiation?
Lyn,
My husband has rib pain as well. He also has anemia and his kidneys are showing some small degree of being effected, but they are still functioning well. We too hope his symptoms will improve once treatment starts.
I hope your husband is doing well.
My husband has rib pain as well. He also has anemia and his kidneys are showing some small degree of being effected, but they are still functioning well. We too hope his symptoms will improve once treatment starts.
I hope your husband is doing well.
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dogmom - Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Are bone lesions always treated with radiation?
My oncologist wants to stay away from radiation as to not cause damage to good bones. He did take me off Velcade due to nerve damage. I take pain medication for back pain.
My problems now are dizziness, stomach problems, no energy, and extreme shortness of breath.
Tom74
My problems now are dizziness, stomach problems, no energy, and extreme shortness of breath.
Tom74
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Tom74 - Name: Tom Meredith
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 9/5/15
- Age at diagnosis: 73
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