Returning to health after a myeloma diagnosis takes courage, dedication and a world-class medical team that sees you as a person, not a chart. In April 2021, Hoag was the first hospital in the U.S. to launch phase 2 molecular imaging trials for myeloma, bringing advanced detection to the treatment of this rare blood cancer. Facing myeloma? Trust Hoag science to help you heal.
With Hoag’s highly experienced, multidisciplinary team of experts on your team, you've got a fighting chance against myeloma and other blood cancers. At Hoag, we believe you are more than just a diagnosis, and that we can help you recover from myeloma.
Also known as “multiple myeloma,” myeloma is a cancer of specialized white blood cells that make up plasma. In patients with myeloma, impacted cells grow out of control, forcing out the normal bone marrow cells that make platelets, red blood cells, and other forms of white blood cells.
There are three main types of myeloma:
Multiple myeloma: Myeloma that develops in the bone marrow, and which can spread through the blood to other parts of the body. This is the most common type of myeloma.
Extramedullary plasmacytoma: A tumor that starts in plasma cells, but develops in soft tissues such as the throat or lungs.
Solitary plasmacytoma: Plasma cell tumors that develop in only one part of the body, usually in a bone.
Myeloma usually develops without causing any symptoms, and is often discovered during blood or urine testing for other conditions. In more advanced cases, myeloma can cause bone issues, including:
Pain, particularly in the back or ribs
Bones that fracture or break easily
Frequent infections, bleeding or bruising
Unexplained fever
Fatigue, including weakness in the extremities
Breathing difficulties
The root causes of myeloma are unknown. Risk factors for developing myeloma or also poorly understood, but may include:
Age, with the disease being rare in people under 45
Gender, as men are more likely than women to develop the disease
Race, with Blacks having twice as much chance of contracting myeloma than whites
Obesity
Exposure to benzene and hair dyes
Exposure to heavy X-rays or other kinds of ionizing radiation
Currently, there are no known ways to reduce your risk of developing myeloma, though maintaining a healthy weight may help.
Myeloma is usually diagnosed initially through blood and urine tests. If these tests are positive for myeloma, your doctor may recommend other tests. These may include:
Bone marrow biopsy
X-rays
Specialized bone imaging tests
After diagnosis, your doctor will talk to you about your current symptoms, discuss treatment options and potentially refer you to a specialist for more tests or surgery.
As a leading provider of advanced care for blood cancers, Hoag Family Cancer has world-class technology, techniques and specialists to help you win your battle against myeloma. Hoag was the first in the nation to open Phase 2 clinical trials using molecular imaging to detect myeloma, providing patients and doctors with the insight they need to fight. Learn more about Molecular Imaging for myeloma at Hoag.
Trust Hoag for your myeloma treatment. For the sixth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-2023 Best Hospitals Rankings named Hoag the highest-ranked hospital in Orange County
Hoag is helping find tomorrow’s cures. Our cancer-specific nurse navigators and support staff will be there for you following your diagnosis to help you find resources, review your options and make informed decisions at every step of your cancer treatment and recovery.
Meet Hoag’s Blood Cancer Team.
Treatment options for myeloma depend on many factors, including how advanced the cancer is when detected, your age, other health issues you may have and other factors. At Hoag, we offer the latest treatment options for myeloma. These may include:
Immunotherapy, which preps your body’s own immune system to fight cancer
Bone marrow transplant
Corticosteroid injections, which reduce inflammation in the body and help suppress myeloma cells
Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. It is usually given intravenously, and treatment may be administered either at the doctor’s office or in an outpatient center.
Radiation therapy
Hoag was recently named a Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Center of Excellence (RTCoE) by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), a distinction held by only 17 centers in the U.S. including Stanford Health Care, Harvard Medical School and the University of California — San Francisco. Explore advanced treatment technologies for myeloma available at Hoag.
At Hoag Family Cancer Institute, we’re committed to offering the best support services, resources and educational information to our patients and their families at every stage of their cancer journey. Hoag’s Integrated Cancer Support Services are open to everyone regardless of their prognosis, cancer stage or phase of recovery.
Resources include:
Find more information about Integrated Cancer Support Services at Hoag.
Hoag is committed to leading the way in state-of-the-art technologies and advanced treatment options. Part of this commitment includes clinical research with the goal of helping patients live longer, healthier lives. Through carefully planned clinical trials, researchers evaluate the safety and effectiveness of new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent diseases or conditions. Treatments studied in clinical trials might be new drugs or new combinations of drugs, new surgical procedures or devices, or new ways to use existing treatments. View available clinical trials at Hoag here.
At Hoag, our clinical research team is committed to excellence in research and a continuing commitment to protect the interests and well-being of patients. Contact us at 949-764-4577 to see if joining a clinical trial is right for you.
At Hoag, we understand that a cancer diagnosis may cause you and your family to experience a variety of significant life changes. We are committed to providing you with support before, during and after treatment. Hoag’s survivorship resources help you navigate through the challenges of telling friends and family about your cancer, working while living with cancer, returning to “normal” after cancer and so much more. We strive to provide you with the resources needed to feel empowered in your everyday life.