Multiple myeloma treatable, but not curable

Varanasi, Aug 27 (UNI) All those aged 50 or above must go for regular blood, urine and bone-marrow tests for early detection of Multiple Myeloma -- a form of blood cancer -- which is treatable, but not curable, Mumbai based Haemato-Oncologist M B Agarwal said here today.

Consultant Haemato-Oncologist at the Breach Candy, Leelavati and Bombay Hospitals in Mumbai, Dr Agarwal told mediapersons here today that Multiple-myeloma (MM) -- the cancer of plasma cells -- represented one per cent of all cancer cases and 10 per cent of all blood cancer patients in the country.

''Cancer registery presently pegged over 50,000 patients of multiple-myeloma in US along with an estimated 15,000 additions every year. In India, population based estimates suggested that as many as 50,000 patients of the dreadful form of blood cancer could be reported at different hospitals annually,'' Dr Agarwal claimed.

In the city to attend the two-day first annual conference of Uttar Pradesh Chapter of Indian Society of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine (ISHTM), which concluded at the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) here today, Dr Agarwal said that MM was the cancer of plasma cells.

''This progressive form of blood cancer demolishes the body's immune system by affecting the plasma cells, which produce immunoglobulins (antibodies) to help the body fight infection and disease,'' he maintained.

Though no cause behind the disease, which leads to fatality was known, its symptoms varied from imbalance in haemoglobin level, weakening of bones, frequent fracture of bones, besides renal dysfunctioning and frequent fever.

''The weakening of skull, pelvic, rib and spine bones is the best indicator of MM, which represents two per cent of all cancer related deaths in US,'' he added.

The risk of the blood disease was most in those aged 50 or above, particularly among males. ''It is suggested that those nearing the half century mark, started going for regular blood, urine and bone-marrow tests for early detection of MM,'' Dr Agarwal added.

The MM is treatable, but not curable, Dr Agarwal said, adding that three form of therapies presently exist in the country, including chemotherapy, bone-marrow transplant (BMT) and Thalidomide based treatment.

''The BMT is very costly often ranging between Rs 10 to 15 lakh, while complications during this form of therapy cannot be ruled out.

For an average Indian, the third form of therapy was cheap and best,'' he added.

Thalidomide is a drug which was banned in the 1950s -- after pregnant mothers taking it gave birth to abnormal babies -- is the cheapest treatment of MM presently. ''All one needs to do is to take a Thalidomide pill before going to sleep in the night for a period of four to six months, following which he will be blessed with a healthy life ranging between two to four more years, despite being afflicted by MM,'' Dr Agarwal maintained.

''The four to six month therapy could control the MM, but not cure it,'' he added.

The Thalidomide treatment, though, was not free of side-effects and besides leading to excessive drowsiness also resulted in constipation, he added. He also warned pregnant mothers against the intake of the medicine.

''While the BMT involves a cost of Rs 10 lakh to 15 lakh, the Thalidomide based treatment costed a maximum upto Rs 12,000 in the four to six month period,'' he added.

UNI ARS MB SY KN1633