A group of French myeloma specialists recently published a review of treatment strategies for multiple myeloma patients who have relapsed or become resistant to previous therapies.

This Beacon article, the second in a two-part series, summarizes the review’s insights into issues that need to be considered when choosing among relapse treatment options

Part 1 summarizes the review’s perspectives on the use of novel agents in the treatment of relapsed and refractory myeloma.  

According to the authors of the review, …

I, like probably many multiple myeloma survivors, experience peripheral neuropathy.

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that is a result of nerve damage. It is commonly found in diabetes patients and older people, as well as those of us with multiple myeloma.

Symptoms include numbness in the hands and feet, loss of balance, trouble writing, opening jars, trouble with buttons or zippers, and/or pain in various parts of the body.

Sometimes people who suffer from peripheral neuropathy experience something best described …

A group of French myeloma specialists recently published a review of treatment strategies for multiple myeloma patients who have relapsed or become resistant to previous therapies.

This Beacon article, the first in a two-part series, summarizes the review's perspectives on the use of novel agents in the treatment of relapsed and refractory myeloma.  

A second Beacon article will look at the review's insights into issues that need to be considered when choosing among relapse treatment options.

The authors of …

Ever since I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma five and a half years ago, hardly a day goes by when I don’t read some breathtaking headline about the promise of “personalized medicine” in the treatment of cancer.

News article after news article declares that breakthroughs in unlocking cancer's genetic code will lead to new, highly individualized, highly effective treatments.

Sounds great.  How could it not make your heart race a little faster knowing a cure is right around the corner? …

It had been my intention to write this column about the terrific experience I had recently when I attended the MMRF Gala.  What a spectacular event – so inspiring.

But, I am going to have to save that for next time, because last Thursday was The Most Difficult Day – the most challenging 24 hours my sisters and I have experienced so far in our myeloma journey.

The Most Difficult Day made me appreciate even more all the wonderful people …

During the course of their disease, multiple myeloma patients some­times develop what physicians call either "extram­edullary disease," "extra­medullary plasmacytomas," or "extra­medullary myeloma."

In medicine, when something is described as "extramedullary," it means it is located outside of the bone marrow.

So "extramedullary" myeloma is myeloma that is outside of the bone marrow.

It occurs when malignant plasma cells collect together and form tumors in parts of the body other than a patient's bones.

This can occur in any myeloma patient, …

As I prepared to write my weekly column, I must admit my mind drew a blank!  Why?  Sheer exhaustion, I think.

As most of you know, I underwent an autologous stem cell transplant this summer. Two weeks ago, I shared how the transplant had actually made my multiple myeloma worse.

Earlier this week, I learned that surgery will be required to remove an area of melanoma on my left ear.  That’s right — melanoma — as in skin cancer.

I …