Getting Diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma

If you have been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, you may feel worried or anxious. It helps to know the expert physicians at the Myeloma program at UMass Memorial Health Cancer Center provide the most advanced treatment options and clinical trials.

Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that most often starts in the plasma cells. Over time, the cancerous plasma cells will clog up the bone marrow. Depending on your stage of myeloma and how quickly it’s progressing, our team may choose to regularly monitor the development of your condition rather than begin immediate treatment.

The UMass Memorial Medical Center has the only stem cell transplant center in Central New England.

Multiple Myeloma Risk Factors

There are many factors that can increase your chances of developing multiple myeloma, including:

• A family history of multiple myeloma
• A personal history of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)
• Age
• Race
• Sex

Multiple Myeloma Services We Provide

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Targeted therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Blood and marrow transplantation in a dedicated eight-bed specialized care unit
• Access to promising new treatments and targeted therapies through our participation in regional and national clinical trials
• Cancer support programs
• Specialized nursing, social work, nutritional counseling and home care