Supportive care treatment is an essential part of the therapeutic management of multiple myeloma patients for both improved quality of life and improved survival.

Supportive care is important for addressing conditions that may be associated with multiple myeloma or advancing age, or that may result from treatment. These conditions may include fatigue, anemia, infection, bone lesions and fractures,  kidney problems, peripheral neuropathy (tingling in the hands and feet), nausea, hypercalcemia (excess calcium in the blood), and venous thromboembolism (a blood clot that starts in a vein).

Some conditions may be treated prophylactically; others may be treated upon manifestation of symptoms. For example, bisphosphonates may be given to inhibit bone destruction or antimicrobial therapy may be given depending on a patient’s risk factors and previous history of infections. In the case of vertebral collapse, vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty may be performed. Anemia may be treated with red blood cell transfusions to manage immediate symptoms or with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (injectable red cell growth factor medication).

At the Center of Excellence for Multiple Myeloma, we collaborate with a team of specialists who are experienced in treating multiple myeloma and related diseases. Their expertise is critical for ensuring that patients feel well, recover quickly, and have the best long-term outcomes.

Our team includes experts from these specialties:

• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• Gastroenterology
• Infectious Disease
• Interventional Radiology
• Medical Genetics
• Nephrology
• Neurology
• Neurosurgery
• Ophthalmology
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Pain Management
• Primary Care
• Pulmonary Medicine
• Radiation Oncology