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The secrets of multiple myeloma: Why is this cancer so difficult to detect early?
In the world of cancer, multiple myeloma has always attracted the attention of the medical community due to its difficulty in early detection. This cancer, which affects white blood cells in the bone marrow, often shows few obvious symptoms in the early stages, making it difficult for many patients to receive effective treatment even if they are diagnosed in the early stages. This article will discuss the basic characteristics, risk factors, and difficulties in early diagnosis of multiple myeloma.
Definition of Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma, or plasmacytoma, is a cancer that begins in the plasma cells (a type of white blood cell) in the bone marrow. These cells are designed to produce antibodies, but when they become cancerous they produce abnormal antibodies and can cause a number of health problems.
Because there are almost no symptoms in the early stages of the disease, patients are often not diagnosed until the disease progresses to a more serious stage.
Early symptoms and their diversity
The symptoms of multiple myeloma vary from person to person, the most common of which include fatigue, bone pain, and anemia. According to the CRAB criteria, the diagnosis of active multiple myeloma may rely on indicators such as calcium, renal function, anemia, and bone lesions.
Before being diagnosed with multiple myeloma, many patients may already have a precursor condition, monoclonal gamma leukemia (MGUS), which transforms into multiple myeloma at a rate of approximately 1% to 2% per year. .
Analysis of risk factors
The causes of multiple myeloma are not fully understood, but certain risk factors have been linked to it, including age, obesity, radiation exposure, and contact with certain chemicals. Additionally, certain occupations, such as firefighters or agricultural workers, are at higher risk due to more frequent exposure to certain chemicals.
Challenges in detection and diagnosis
Because multiple myeloma usually has no specific symptoms in the early stages, it is often difficult for doctors to detect the disease during the initial diagnosis. For the average person, routine blood tests don't easily reveal signs of early cancer.
In this situation, professional medical examinations, such as abnormal antibody protein testing in blood or urine, are particularly important. However, these tests are usually only performed when it is suspected that the patient already has symptoms.
Treatment and Prognosis
Although multiple myeloma is currently considered a treatable but difficult-to-treat cancer, different treatments such as steroids, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and stem cell transplantation have shown some success. With the introduction of new therapies such as CAR-T cell therapy, the prognosis for patients has improved.
Future Directions and Thoughts
With the in-depth study of multiple myeloma, scientists have made some progress in exploring new methods of diagnosis and treatment. Although many treatments are currently available, multiple myeloma remains a deadly disease that requires more attention and research.
