My mother was diagnosed with a plasmacytoma of the bone in her fifth rib; it is large (10 cm x 10 cm) (4 inches x 4 inches). It is right up against her lung.
She had a PET and it showed nothing else significant. She did 25 radiation treatments and saw her ratio drop from 800 to 390 (in November). The 390 level was 8 weeks after her last treatment. However, the size did not decrease. We now learned that the level has increased to close to 500 (December 15th level).
The oncologist here in Regina, Canada, has recommended chemotherapy treatment to start in two weeks. I am scared of this as it is an isolated cancer and worry that they don't know if chemo will even work here.
Is there a chance that chemo will eradicate the solitary plasmacytma or are they experimenting and have no idea what to do with her?
She is 70 years old, the location is up against the heart and lung. Is removal even an option? Has anyone heard of success with chemo to treat a solitary plasmacytoma of the bone?
Thank you in advance for your advice/guidance.
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Re: Chemo for solitary plasmacytoma?
Hi Greenall,
What was your mom's plasma cell percentage from her bone marrow biopsy? When you say "ratio", are you referring to her free light chain ratio?
What was your mom's plasma cell percentage from her bone marrow biopsy? When you say "ratio", are you referring to her free light chain ratio?
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: Chemo for solitary plasmacytoma?
A suggestion or two.
Due to tumor location and size, perhaps a full dose (45 Gy) of radiation could not be used. A full dosage might well have caused iatrogenic Lung / Cardiac damage.
Therefore, Chemo is indicated ?
Approximately 15 % of presenting tumors are truly "Solitary "...and the rest are simply Multiple Myeloma tumors--in various stages of presentation. Not all Solitary Plasmacytomas are amenable to Radiation, as a treatment. Some are variant, per the literature.
Might a simple Biopsy (Rib) be in Order ? Has your Mom had a BMB ? Have you /She had a chance to discuss these unusual issues with her MD's ??
Good luck.
Due to tumor location and size, perhaps a full dose (45 Gy) of radiation could not be used. A full dosage might well have caused iatrogenic Lung / Cardiac damage.
Therefore, Chemo is indicated ?
Approximately 15 % of presenting tumors are truly "Solitary "...and the rest are simply Multiple Myeloma tumors--in various stages of presentation. Not all Solitary Plasmacytomas are amenable to Radiation, as a treatment. Some are variant, per the literature.
Might a simple Biopsy (Rib) be in Order ? Has your Mom had a BMB ? Have you /She had a chance to discuss these unusual issues with her MD's ??
Good luck.
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Rneb
Re: Chemo for solitary plasmacytoma?
Hi Greenall, I am sorry to hear about your mother's struggle with the plasmacytoma. I gather from what you say that it is her kappa / lambda ratio that is fluctuating? Has she been diagnosed with multiple myeloma (that is probably the case from your post). Is she seeing an haematological oncologist or myeloma specialist?
Probably the chemo suggested would be either Revlimid or Velcade, if it is myeloma. I am sure that she would be monitored carefully to make sure that it was not harming her.
Sorry I don't know the answer to your question, though, about treating a solitary plasmacytoma with chemo, but I wish you good luck.
Probably the chemo suggested would be either Revlimid or Velcade, if it is myeloma. I am sure that she would be monitored carefully to make sure that it was not harming her.
Sorry I don't know the answer to your question, though, about treating a solitary plasmacytoma with chemo, but I wish you good luck.
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
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