From my understanding, there is no definite known culprit for causing multiple myeloma. However, there are some hypothetical causal agents, such as Agent Orange exposure. What are the hypothetical agents that may cause multiple myeloma? Could it be as simple as smoke exposure like lung cancer? Or more complicated like pesticides in foods?
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Re: Hypothetical causes of multiple myeloma?
I believe radiation is a suspect. People in the path of the radiation cloud in '53 had a high incidence of multiple myeloma.
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Wayne K - Name: Wayne
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself, my sister who passed in '95
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 03/09
- Age at diagnosis: 70
Re: Hypothetical causes of multiple myeloma?
Well, I personally think that environment can play a huge part in multiple myeloma. In my dad's case, he worked in a machine type factory (making aircraft parts) in the 1960s/1970s for ten years. He was a sheet metal worker which has been known to induce the chemical benzene.
Also, after 9/11, a number of first responders (aged 35-45) developed very severe cases of multiple myeloma.
Also, after 9/11, a number of first responders (aged 35-45) developed very severe cases of multiple myeloma.
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Bobvancleef38 - Who do you know with myeloma?: My father
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 1994
- Age at diagnosis: 40
Re: Hypothetical causes of multiple myeloma?
I've read where printers have a higher than normal rate of multiple myeloma and I was a screen printer for many years using a variety of chemicals. I'm convinced that was the cause for mine.
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Guitarnut - Name: Scott Hansgen
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Sept 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 47
Re: Hypothetical causes of multiple myeloma?
There has also been discussions where reaction to a viral infection may trigger it.. Apparently the first responders in the 9/11 tragedy suffer from a higher incidence of multiple myeloma and other blood cancers than is found in the general population. When we get down to it there is something in the genetic make up of us that triggered the cancer. What ever that switch is likely different for each person. The disease is heterogeneous and I believe the causes are varied as well.
In our modern society we are exposed to more man made environmental agents and seem to be exposed to more viral and bacterial agents as well. The mobility of modern society makes us all more exposed. 100 years ago most people were born, raised, worked and died within the same general area. Now we all move about, change locations where we work, travel more and come in contact with a lot of diverse people and settings.
Modern society is filled with more chemical agents. Our foods are processed and our food has been genetically altered and treated with a variety of pesticides, growth hormones and other agents. All of this contributes to what I perceive as a higher rate of multiple myeloma impacting the public. Only a small fraction of the people exposed come down with the disease. Something in their genetic make up is triggered and in other it is not.
Ron
In our modern society we are exposed to more man made environmental agents and seem to be exposed to more viral and bacterial agents as well. The mobility of modern society makes us all more exposed. 100 years ago most people were born, raised, worked and died within the same general area. Now we all move about, change locations where we work, travel more and come in contact with a lot of diverse people and settings.
Modern society is filled with more chemical agents. Our foods are processed and our food has been genetically altered and treated with a variety of pesticides, growth hormones and other agents. All of this contributes to what I perceive as a higher rate of multiple myeloma impacting the public. Only a small fraction of the people exposed come down with the disease. Something in their genetic make up is triggered and in other it is not.
Ron
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Ron Harvot - Name: Ron Harvot
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Hypothetical causes of multiple myeloma?
I suspect a large number of recurrent sinus infections over the years, in my left frontal sinus (the right frontal sinus never developed) played a role in developing a large plasmacytoma of the frontal sinus in 2011-12--and growing into the left orbit / anterior brain dura.
A walnut sized + tumor + skeletal bone, etc ( I was re-constructed) was removed in May 2012, and I was welcomed to the club and my treatment odyssey began.
(IgG multiple myeloma FISH t,11-14, low risk multiple myeloma -- responding to Velcade / dex / Revlimid.) Collection and apheresis undergone in March 2013 -- enough for 4 stem cell transplants (SCTs). Have held off SCTs. The Mayo clinic stratification came out just as I was backing away from SCT.
I am holding steady at a 0.2 M spike and lower SPEP / ratios with Revlimid 10 mg daily (28 days on). Grade II peripheral neuropathy (PN) -- mostly from Velcade -- although Revlimid does aggravate my PN.
I had also contracted West Nile fever in 2008-09. Full blown. Although I recovered quickly, I had residual fatigue, etc.
I do also have some pesticide exposure and some radiation exposure, albeit neither prolonged nor very large.
I think the genetic alteration was always there, waiting for a virus to overwhelm the immune system and activate the multiple myeloma.
Whether it was a aero/digestive virus or West Nile, I was triggered and became "active" is not clear. My ENT/ head & neck surgeon have traded some data over this. He believes many of the head & neck / esophageal cancers he sees are a direct result of viral diseases, especially those attributed to HPV (Michael Douglas anyone?).
I do feel viruses play a significant role in altering immunological responses, genetic cell replications (abnormal) and activating multiple myeloma.
A walnut sized + tumor + skeletal bone, etc ( I was re-constructed) was removed in May 2012, and I was welcomed to the club and my treatment odyssey began.
(IgG multiple myeloma FISH t,11-14, low risk multiple myeloma -- responding to Velcade / dex / Revlimid.) Collection and apheresis undergone in March 2013 -- enough for 4 stem cell transplants (SCTs). Have held off SCTs. The Mayo clinic stratification came out just as I was backing away from SCT.
I am holding steady at a 0.2 M spike and lower SPEP / ratios with Revlimid 10 mg daily (28 days on). Grade II peripheral neuropathy (PN) -- mostly from Velcade -- although Revlimid does aggravate my PN.
I had also contracted West Nile fever in 2008-09. Full blown. Although I recovered quickly, I had residual fatigue, etc.
I do also have some pesticide exposure and some radiation exposure, albeit neither prolonged nor very large.
I think the genetic alteration was always there, waiting for a virus to overwhelm the immune system and activate the multiple myeloma.
Whether it was a aero/digestive virus or West Nile, I was triggered and became "active" is not clear. My ENT/ head & neck surgeon have traded some data over this. He believes many of the head & neck / esophageal cancers he sees are a direct result of viral diseases, especially those attributed to HPV (Michael Douglas anyone?).
I do feel viruses play a significant role in altering immunological responses, genetic cell replications (abnormal) and activating multiple myeloma.
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R neb
Re: Hypothetical causes of multiple myeloma?
I'm somewhat surprised at some of the ages of multiple myeloma victims. It is generally considered to be more prevalent in older adults.
I can see where someone such as myself at 70 when diagnosed would have had plenty of time to be exposed to all kinds genetic altering forces. I was an electrician and a veteran and spent a lot of time around less than desirable chemicals.
The problem with it is that its is suppose to be more prevalent in blacks than in other ethnic groups and there is no reason to believe blacks would be exposed to the normal suspects anymore than others.
I don't know the full history of GMOs, but it's one more bit of progress in which the real threat is overlooked and lost in the debate over the portion of the process that is likely benign. I'm sure the companies involved are more then happy to engage in debating the process itself while hiding from the side affects.
I can see where someone such as myself at 70 when diagnosed would have had plenty of time to be exposed to all kinds genetic altering forces. I was an electrician and a veteran and spent a lot of time around less than desirable chemicals.
The problem with it is that its is suppose to be more prevalent in blacks than in other ethnic groups and there is no reason to believe blacks would be exposed to the normal suspects anymore than others.
I don't know the full history of GMOs, but it's one more bit of progress in which the real threat is overlooked and lost in the debate over the portion of the process that is likely benign. I'm sure the companies involved are more then happy to engage in debating the process itself while hiding from the side affects.
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Wayne K - Name: Wayne
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself, my sister who passed in '95
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 03/09
- Age at diagnosis: 70
Re: Hypothetical causes of multiple myeloma?
Hello Beacon readers and contributors,
This is an interesting topic so I thought I might jump in.
Age is clearly a major contributor. There are many many epidemiological studies that unequivocally show that myeloma is a disease of older people. The average age of diagnosis in all of these studies is approximately 70. Yes there are younger patients but the younger you are the less likely you are to get myeloma.
There is an increasing awareness of familial contributions to developing the disease. Other potential contributing causes include environmental exposures and chemical exposures. The evidence for a direct relationship between radiation and myeloma is weak. There are even studies suggesting that obesity increases the risk. It may be multifactorial.
At this time there is no clear unequivocal evidence that any particular exposure leads directly to multiple myeloma. We have much to learn.
This is an interesting topic so I thought I might jump in.
Age is clearly a major contributor. There are many many epidemiological studies that unequivocally show that myeloma is a disease of older people. The average age of diagnosis in all of these studies is approximately 70. Yes there are younger patients but the younger you are the less likely you are to get myeloma.
There is an increasing awareness of familial contributions to developing the disease. Other potential contributing causes include environmental exposures and chemical exposures. The evidence for a direct relationship between radiation and myeloma is weak. There are even studies suggesting that obesity increases the risk. It may be multifactorial.
At this time there is no clear unequivocal evidence that any particular exposure leads directly to multiple myeloma. We have much to learn.
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Dr. Edward Libby - Name: Edward Libby, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: Hypothetical causes of multiple myeloma?
In terms of environmental and chemical exposures, could it be that multiple myeloma is actually trying to protect the body from such exposures? It is, after all, producing excess immunoglobulins. It just so happens that creating the excess immunoglobulin does not get turned off.
Re: Hypothetical causes of multiple myeloma?
When I had my SCT in Denver I noticed there were many oil field workers from Wyoming. When I asked my multiple myeloma specialist about these patients he mentioned he was convinced exposure to benzene triggers blood cancers.
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JBarnes - Name: Jerry Barnes
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Aug 17, 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 54
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