Myeloma

If you’re affected by myeloma, you may have many questions about how it is diagnosed, treatment options, side effects and how to stay well. You can find trustworthy information about all aspects of your experience below.

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What is myeloma?

Myeloma is a type of blood cancer that affects the white blood cells called plasma cells.

Symptoms

Learn about the common symptoms of myeloma and when to see your doctor.

Getting diagnosed

Find out about the tests for myeloma, how it is diagnosed and staged, and who will provide your care.

Treating myeloma

The treatment you have for myeloma depends on individual factors, such as the type and stage of the cancer, your symptoms and your general health.

Managing symptoms and side effects

Find out about ways to manage some common side effects of myeloma, such as bone disease, fatigue and pain.

Life after treatment

Learn about follow-up care, what happens if the cancer returns, and how to look after your physical and mental health.

Questions for your doctorAsking your doctor questions will help you make an informed choice. You may want to include some of the questions below in your own list.

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Diagnosis

What type of myeloma do I have? What stage and category is it?
What tests do I need?
Has the myeloma spread? How fast is it growing?
Does it need treatment now or do you recommend active monitoring?
If you recommend active monitoring, how often will I need check-ups?
Are the latest tests and treatments for myeloma available in this hospital?
Will a multidisciplinary team be involved in my care?
Are there clinical guidelines for this type of myeloma?

Treatment

What treatment do you recommend? What is the aim of the treatment?
Are there other treatment choices for me? If not, why not?
If I don’t have treatment, what should I expect?
How long do I have to make a decision?
I’m thinking of getting a second opinion. Can you recommend anyone?
How long will treatment take? Will I have to stay in hospital?
Are there any out-of-pocket expenses not covered by Medicare or my private health cover? Can the cost be reduced if I can’t afford it?
How will we know if the treatment is working?
Are there any clinical trials or research studies I could join?

Side effects

What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment?
Will I have a lot of pain? Can I work, drive and do my normal activities?
Should I change my diet or physical activity during or after treatment?
Are there any complementary therapies that might help me?

After treatment

How often will I need check-ups after treatment?
If the myeloma returns, how will I know? What treatments could I have?

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This information was last updated in October 2024. See who reviewed this content.

Dr Ian Bilmon, Haematologist, Westmead Hospital and The Sydney Adventist Hospital (Clinical review); Martin Boling, Consumer; Catherine Bowley, Specialist Myeloma Nurse, Myeloma Australia; Dr Samuel Dickson, Radiation Oncologist, Calvary Mater Newcastle; Rachelle Frith, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Haematology, Prince of Wales Hospital; Dr Wojt Janowski, Haematologist, Calvary Mater Newcastle; Yvonne King, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council NSW. We would like to thank all the health professionals, consumers and editorial teams who have worked on current and past editions of this title.

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