Hello,
I feel like I have been hit by lightning twice, and wonder how common it is to develop multiple myeloma after successfully battling another cancer.
I completed treatments for breast cancer in October 2014, and was happily getting on with my life when I began to experience bone pain in August 2015. The pain continued until my oncologist, worried about metastatic breast cancer, ordered a bone scan in October 2015. The bone scan showed lesions on my femur, and there was a real concern that I would actually fracture my femur. Thus, prophylactic surgery took place to pin my femur, and a biopsy was taken during the surgery.
Lo and behold, the biopsy results showed that I had myeloma; not metastatic breast cancer. I'm currently undergoing chemo with bortezomib (Velcade), dexamethasone and cyclophosphamide in preparation for a stem cell transplant in March 2016. My oncologist and hematologist do not believe that my multiple myeloma is a result of my cancer treatments for breast cancer, since my myeloma diagnosis came so soon after completion of my breast cancer treatments. But ... I wonder.
Thank you,
Karen
Forums
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KarenaD - Name: Karen
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 4, 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Multiple myeloma as secondary cancer after breast cancer
Hi Karena,
Welcome to the forum, unfortunately.
I am no doctor, but as far as I know, while some chemotherapy regimens have a risk of a secondary cancer, there is a bit of a "latency" (for lack of better word) period between myeloma and any possible cause.
I noticed you live in Guelph. Hi, neighbour; I live in the city where you likely had your induction done.
Both Halton-Peel and London have myeloma support groups if that is something you are interested in.
Welcome to the forum, unfortunately.
I am no doctor, but as far as I know, while some chemotherapy regimens have a risk of a secondary cancer, there is a bit of a "latency" (for lack of better word) period between myeloma and any possible cause.
I noticed you live in Guelph. Hi, neighbour; I live in the city where you likely had your induction done.
Both Halton-Peel and London have myeloma support groups if that is something you are interested in.
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Little Monkey - Name: Little Monkey
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Father-stage 1 multiple myeloma
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March/April of 2015
Re: Multiple myeloma as secondary cancer after breast cancer
Thanks for your reply, Little Monkey. Yes, my doctors all feel that there is no causal relationship between my breast cancer treatments and my recent multiple myeloma diagnosis. Prior to being diagnosed with breast cancer, I'd been a very healthy person – no chronic illnesses, non-smoker, non-drinker, healthy eater, regular exercise, etc. I guess I'm just trying to understand how this happened to me (twice!) ... although I know very well that I'll never know for sure.
My hematologist is in Kitchener, but my autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) will take place in Hamilton this coming March. I'll definitely be speaking with my hematologist next week about local support groups, I have a feeling that I am going to need to lean on others who have lived through an ASCT – which frankly terrifies me!
Kind regards, Karen
My hematologist is in Kitchener, but my autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) will take place in Hamilton this coming March. I'll definitely be speaking with my hematologist next week about local support groups, I have a feeling that I am going to need to lean on others who have lived through an ASCT – which frankly terrifies me!
Kind regards, Karen
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KarenaD - Name: Karen
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 4, 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Multiple myeloma as secondary cancer after breast cancer
Hi Karena,
Ya, there is an Australian fellah who did a video journal of his stem cell auto transplant. For him, the nurse came over to his house every day to administer care. Each day of the transplant he talks about how he feels; he is a member of this forum and his name is Matt.
Here is a link to his journal:
"MattSchtick's Stem Cell Transplant" (forum thread started July 9, 2014)
How were the side effects during CyBorD treatment?
I am not aware of Kitchener or Guelph having any myeloma support groups (might have some general blood cancer support groups); London and Mississauga/Oakville have myeloma support groups.
Ya, there is an Australian fellah who did a video journal of his stem cell auto transplant. For him, the nurse came over to his house every day to administer care. Each day of the transplant he talks about how he feels; he is a member of this forum and his name is Matt.
Here is a link to his journal:
"MattSchtick's Stem Cell Transplant" (forum thread started July 9, 2014)
How were the side effects during CyBorD treatment?
I am not aware of Kitchener or Guelph having any myeloma support groups (might have some general blood cancer support groups); London and Mississauga/Oakville have myeloma support groups.
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Little Monkey - Name: Little Monkey
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Father-stage 1 multiple myeloma
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March/April of 2015
Re: Multiple myeloma as secondary cancer after breast cancer
Little Monkey:
Thanks so much for pointing me in the direction of Andy's video diary of his ASCT. It was quite reassuring to see how well Andy tolerated the process. I'm half way through my CyBorD treatment and it's not too bad. My main complaints are fatigue and an upset stomach for 1-2 days after treatment.
Karen
Thanks so much for pointing me in the direction of Andy's video diary of his ASCT. It was quite reassuring to see how well Andy tolerated the process. I'm half way through my CyBorD treatment and it's not too bad. My main complaints are fatigue and an upset stomach for 1-2 days after treatment.
Karen
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KarenaD - Name: Karen
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 4, 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Multiple myeloma as secondary cancer after breast cancer
I had breast cancer in 2007. I'm not positive that my prior chemo treatment has something to do with the current smoldering multiple myeloma diagnosis since I am African American and there is a very HEAVY incidence of cancer in the family.
Like you, prior to breast cancer treatment I'd been a very healthy person.
Unlike you, smoker, light drinker, unhealthy eater, no regular exercise, etc.
I agree we'll probably never know for sure.
Like you, prior to breast cancer treatment I'd been a very healthy person.
Unlike you, smoker, light drinker, unhealthy eater, no regular exercise, etc.
I agree we'll probably never know for sure.
Re: Multiple myeloma as secondary cancer after breast cancer
Thanks for your reply, SlimMoe. I guess I am just reaching out to see if anyone else has been confronted by multiple myeloma after successfully dealing with breast cancer. It's good not to be alone. But ... I realize I'll never know for sure why I'm in this predicament, and I know I'll never be able to pin the blame on one specific thing.
I hope you're doing well and wish you the best.
Karen
I hope you're doing well and wish you the best.
Karen
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KarenaD - Name: Karen
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 4, 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Multiple myeloma as secondary cancer after breast cancer
Here is a theory that was proposed to me: the plasma cells that cause multiple myeloma and certain lymphocytes, including the cancer-preventing natural killer cells, come from the same precursor cells in one's bone marrow. (See the diagram under "hematopoesis" on Wikipedia to see which types of blood cells have common parents.)
A mutation to one of those precursors can give you multiple myeloma and perhaps introduce a defective line of tumor fighters as well. Two diseases from the same event, not a secondary cancer related to chemo.
A mutation to one of those precursors can give you multiple myeloma and perhaps introduce a defective line of tumor fighters as well. Two diseases from the same event, not a secondary cancer related to chemo.
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Mister Dana - Name: Mister Dana
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 66
Re: Multiple myeloma as secondary cancer after breast cancer
Interesting theory, Mister Dana, I had a multiple myeloma specialist tell me that the prominence of skin cancer among persons who have or develop multiple myeloma is slightly higher than the general population.
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Little Monkey - Name: Little Monkey
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Father-stage 1 multiple myeloma
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March/April of 2015
Re: Multiple myeloma as secondary cancer after breast cancer
Hi KarenaD,
Thank you for your post. I was diagnosed with 3a breast cancer in October 2014 and in the past year have been through surgery, chemo, radiation, and more surgery. In September I was diagnosed with osteoporosis (at age 44). My endocrinologist ordered a blood test that showed I have an M spike and a light chain imbalance. Her concern is that, since the osteoporosis is appearing in only one spot on my spine, that it could be a lesion caused by multiple myeloma. I haven't seen the hematologist yet to confirm, but my oncologist seemed to agree that it is likely MGUS, smoldering multiple myeloma, or multiple myeloma.
I keep wondering, what are the odds? At least my breast cancer treatment has prepared me for whatever is to come.
Thank you for your post. I was diagnosed with 3a breast cancer in October 2014 and in the past year have been through surgery, chemo, radiation, and more surgery. In September I was diagnosed with osteoporosis (at age 44). My endocrinologist ordered a blood test that showed I have an M spike and a light chain imbalance. Her concern is that, since the osteoporosis is appearing in only one spot on my spine, that it could be a lesion caused by multiple myeloma. I haven't seen the hematologist yet to confirm, but my oncologist seemed to agree that it is likely MGUS, smoldering multiple myeloma, or multiple myeloma.
I keep wondering, what are the odds? At least my breast cancer treatment has prepared me for whatever is to come.
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