Understanding Your Multiple Myeloma Treatment Options

Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that originates in plasma cells, a form of white blood cell crucial to the immune system. These cells produce antibodies to help fight infections. When plasma cells become cancerous, they can accumulate in the bone marrow, crowding out healthy blood cells and causing a range of complications—including bone pain, frequent infections, and kidney damage.

While a diagnosis of multiple myeloma can be concerning, advancements in treatment have significantly improved survival rates, with the five-year survival rate now around 60%.

At Arizona Center for Cancer Care, our team of leading oncologists is dedicated to developing a personalized treatment plan based on your age, cancer stage, and progression. We provide expert care at locations throughout Avondale, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Surprise, Anthem, Peoria, Fountain Hills, Wickenburg, Apache Junction, Sun City, Sun City West, Goodyear, and Tempe, Arizona.

When Should Treatment Begin?

In some cases, immediate treatment may not be necessary. If your multiple myeloma is slow-growing and not causing symptoms, our specialists may recommend active monitoring rather than starting treatment right away. Once therapy is needed, we work with you to develop an individualized approach.

Here’s an overview of the most common treatment options:

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy enhances your body’s natural immune response to help fight cancer. There are multiple forms of immunotherapy for multiple myeloma, including:

• Adoptive Cell Therapy (ACT) – Uses immune cells from your own body to target cancer.
• Monoclonal Antibodies – Engineered to recognize and attack cancerous plasma cells.
• Checkpoint Inhibitors – Help restore the immune system’s ability to recognize and fight cancer.

If other treatments have not been effective, immunotherapy may improve your outcome.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses potent medications to destroy cancer cells. While once the primary treatment for multiple myeloma, chemotherapy is now often used in combination with newer therapies for the best results. Your oncologist may recommend a single chemotherapy drug or a combination of several to target the disease.

Targeted Therapy

Unlike chemotherapy, targeted therapy is designed to attack specific proteins or genetic mutations in cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy cells. These medications block cancer growth at a molecular level, often with fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy can be an effective option for shrinking localized tumors (plasmacytomas) and relieving bone pain when other treatments are not providing relief. The procedure itself is painless—similar to getting an X-ray—and can significantly reduce tumor size and symptoms.

Bone Marrow Transplant

In more advanced cases, a bone marrow transplant (also called a stem cell transplant) may be necessary. This involves replacing diseased bone marrow with healthy blood-forming stem cells, either from your own body (autologous transplant) or from a donor (allogeneic transplant).

Clinical Trials

At Arizona Center for Cancer Care, we offer access to cutting-edge clinical trials that evaluate promising new treatments before they become widely available. If you’re a candidate, our team will discuss your options and help determine whether a trial is the right choice for you.

Find the Right Treatment for You

Choosing the best treatment for multiple myeloma can feel complex, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our experienced oncologists are here to provide expert guidance, compassionate care, and the latest treatment options.

Call Arizona Center for Cancer Care or schedule an appointment online to learn more about your personalized treatment options.