Multiple Myeloma Flashcards
Multiple Myeloma is a malignancy/cancer of ______
hint - a type of cell
plasma cells
describe “plasma”
Plasma is the liquid component of our blood that transports water and nutrients to cells in the body
the following are characteristics of what cancer?
- Irregular absorption of bone that leads to painful bony lesions
- Occurs in B lymphocytes of the bone marrow
- Multiple lytic lesions
Multiple Myeloma (MM)
Multiple Myeloma occurs in ____ lymphocytes of bone marrow
B
what is the difference between “lytic” and “blastic”
lytic = eating away at
blastic = growth/growing
the following is an example of what cancer?
*hint - those are lytic lesions on the scan
Multiple Myeloma (MM)
a Multiple Myeloma patient can be diagnosed when _________ happens?
The patient can be diagnosed when 10% of bone marrow cells are plasma cells, upon aspiration
(needle aspiration; biopsy)
how is Multiple Myeloma treated?
treated with radiation and chemo combo
abnormal _______ of bone causes painful bony lesions
resorption
define “resorption”
a loss of substance by ‘lysis’ (ie. lytic lesions)
when it comes to treating Multiple Myeloma - chemo is given with what intent? what about radiation?
chemo is given with a curative intent, whereas radiation is given to manage pain from the symptomatic bony lesions (palliative)
what is the common chemo agent given to patients with Multiple Myeloma? Is it given with anything else?
typically given MELPHALAN
w/ prednisone
if the bony lesions associated with Multiple Myeloma are not treated, what can happen?
fracture
what dose is effective in controlling pain (this goes for other cancers as well)
hint- think back to sim lab
30 Gy ie. 3000 cGy
if the osteolytic lesion(s) are occurring in a long bone, what must we make sure happens to the field?
entire lesion is covered/treated and there is generous margin
