Bone Marrow Cancer
Comprehensive treatment for bone marrow cancers including multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes, and other bone marrow malignancies with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and stem cell transplantation.
Bone Marrow Cancer
Hematologic Malignancies
Overview
Bone marrow cancers include multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), myeloproliferative neoplasms, and acute leukemias. Treatment varies significantly by subtype and requires specialized hematologic oncology expertise.
When to Consult
Upon diagnosis of bone marrow cancer, abnormal blood counts (anemia, low platelets, low white cells), bone pain, fatigue, or bone marrow biopsy findings.
What to Bring
Complete blood count (CBC), bone marrow biopsy reports, flow cytometry, cytogenetic studies, FISH testing, molecular testing, imaging scans (X-rays, MRI, PET-CT), and protein electrophoresis results.
Risk Factors
Causes
Treatment Options
Induction Chemotherapy
Intensive initial chemotherapy to achieve remission. Regimens vary by disease type (multiple myeloma: VRd, KRd; MDS: azacitidine, decitabine; AML: 7+3 regimen).
Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation
High-dose chemotherapy followed by reinfusion of patient's own stem cells. Standard for eligible multiple myeloma and some lymphoma patients. Allows higher chemotherapy doses.
Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation
Transplant using donor stem cells. Potentially curative for high-risk diseases. Requires HLA-matched donor. Graft-versus-tumor effect helps eliminate cancer.
Targeted Therapy
Proteasome inhibitors (bortezomib, carfilzomib), immunomodulatory drugs (lenalidomide, pomalidomide) for multiple myeloma. Hypomethylating agents for MDS. FLT3 inhibitors for FLT3-mutated AML.
Monoclonal Antibodies
Daratumumab, elotuzumab for multiple myeloma. Rituximab for certain lymphomas. Targeted antibodies against specific cell markers.
CAR-T Cell Therapy
Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for relapsed/refractory disease. Genetically modified T-cells targeting cancer cells. Available for certain lymphomas and leukemias.
Supportive Care
Blood transfusions, growth factors (erythropoietin, G-CSF), antibiotics, antifungal prophylaxis, and bone-strengthening medications (bisphosphonates, denosumab).
Maintenance Therapy
Long-term treatment after initial response to prevent recurrence. Lenalidomide for multiple myeloma. Lower-dose ongoing therapy.
Clinical Trials
Access to novel therapies and experimental treatments. Important option for relapsed/refractory disease or high-risk patients.