Scottsdale, Arizona - Multiple myeloma doesn't have a cure. But a number of treatments exist that can help control the condition. If you've been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, you may find it helpful to start by learning more about the range of multiple myeloma treatments available.

Watchful waiting

If you have multiple myeloma but aren't experiencing any symptoms, you may not need treatment. However, your doctor will likely request blood and urine tests every few months, to monitor for signs that your condition's progressing. Signs of progression include bone lesions, anemia, high levels of calcium in the blood and kidney damage. If any of these occur, treatment is needed.

Myeloma treatments

If you have or develop symptoms or if tests show that your multiple myeloma has progressed, your doctor may discuss several treatment options with you.

1. Biological therapy. These use your body's immune system to fight myeloma cells. For example, thalidomide (Thalomid), lenalidomide (Revlimid) and pomalidomide (Pomalyst) enhance immune system cells that identify and attack cancer cells. You can take these drugs in pill form.
2. Bisphosphonates. These drugs help your bones stay strong by slowing the effects of myeloma cells. They also help decrease bone pain and can reduce fractures. Bisphosphonates are administered through a vein in your arm.
3. Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy drugs kill fast-growing cells, such as myeloma cells. You can take these drugs in pill form or through a vein in your arm. However, they reach all areas of your body, so they can kill normal cells as well. High doses of chemotherapy drugs are used before a stem cell transplant.
4. Corticosteroids. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone and dexamethasone, regulate the immune system to control inflammation in the body. They are also active against myeloma cells. Corticosteroids are often combined with other drugs and may be taken in pill form or administered through a vein in your arm.
5. Radiation therapy. Radiation uses beams of energy, such as X-rays, to damage myeloma cells and stop their growth. It may be used to quickly shrink myeloma cells in a specific area — for instance, when a collection of abnormal plasma cells forms a tumor that's causing pain or destroying a bone. The most common type of radiation for multiple myeloma is external beam radiation therapy.
6. Stem cell transplant. A stem cell transplant replaces diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow. Before a stem cell transplant, blood-forming stem cells are collected from your blood. You then receive high doses of chemotherapy, which destroys diseased and normal cells in your bone marrow. Finally, your stem cells are infused into your body, where they travel to your bones and begin rebuilding your bone marrow.
7. Targeted therapy. These drugs focus on specific abnormalities within cancer cells that allow the cells to survive. For example, bortezomib (Velcade) and carfilzomib (Kyprolis) block the action of a substance in myeloma cells that breaks down proteins. This causes the cells to die. Targeted therapy is less likely than chemotherapy to harm normal cells. Medications can be administered through a vein in your arm.

Everyone responds differently to treatments for multiple myeloma. If you have a positive response to treatment, you can usually return to near-normal activity.