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Search for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions at the CrashCards MedCenter Directory Rated:
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Multiple Myeloma (HM008)
Multiple myeloma (MM) is one of several diseases that have been collectively termed "plasma cell dyscrasias" and accounts for 10% of all hematological malignancies. The immune system is composed of several types of cells that work together to fight off infection and other disease. Lymphocytes are the main cell type of the immune system. There are two types of lymphocytes (T-cells and B-cells). When B-cells respond to an infection, they mature and change into plasma cells which produce and release proteins called immunoglobulins (antibodies) that attack and help kill disease-causing germs such as bacteria. When plasma cells grow out of control, they can produce tumors that can grow in several sites, especially in the bone marrow (plasmacytomas). When these tumors grow in multiple sites they are referred to as multiple myeloma. MM is the most common primary cancer of the bones in adults with an annual incidence of 3-4 cases per 100,000 population in the United States. MM is considered to be a disease of older persons, occurring most commonly in those over age 50. Chemotherapy is the standard treatment to destroy or control myeloma cells. The drugs may be taken orally or intravenously, and are commonly given as combinations of two or more. The choice of regimen depends on the person's age, kidney function, and the stage of the disease. Radiation may also be used. The Medifocus Guide on Multiple Myeloma provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness. MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process. 
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