100 Questions & Answers About Myeloma

by Asad Bashey, Rafat Abonour, James W. Huston

Overview

EMPOWER YOURSELF! Whether you’re a newly diagnosed myeloma patient, a survivor, or a friend or relative of either, this book offers help. The only text to provide the doctor’s and patient’s views, 100 Questions & Answers About Myeloma, Third Edition gives you authoritative, practical answers to your questions about treatment options, post-treatment quality of life, sources of support, and much more. Written by a hematologist-oncologist specializing in myeloma treatment, and featuring “insider” advice from an actual patient, this book is an invaluable resource for anyone coping with the physical and emotional turmoil of this frightening disease.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781449689315
Publisher:	Jones & Bartlett Learning
Publication date:	01/03/2013
Pages:	154
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Dr. Asad Bashey was born in India and grew up in England. After attending medical school in the Unit ed Kingdom, he trained in Internal Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, UK and in the treatment of blood and marrow cancers at the Hammersmith Hospital (Royal Postgraduate Medical School; now called the Imperial College School of Medicine), London, UK. He obtained a PhD at the University of London, UK. He later trained in Hematology and Medical Oncology at the University of California, San Diego. He now works in conjunction with the Cancer and BMT Programs of Northside Hospital in Atlanta, GA. He has written more than 50 peer-reviewed articles and several books. He is certified by the American Board of Internal medicine in both Hematology and Medical Oncology. He is a member of the American Societies of Hematology and Clinical Oncology and the American Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation. His research interests include the development of new treatments for myeloma.

Rafat Abonour, MD, a board-certified specialist in Internal Medicine and Hematology, is the Chief of the Multiple Myeloma Program at the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center. In addition, Dr. Abonour holds the position of Associate Dean for Clinical Research at the Indiana University Medical School. Dr. Abonour received his medical degree in 1984 at The University of Damascus, Syria, and continued his medical training with a postdoctoral fellowship in immunology at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. His residency was completed at the University of Wisconsin, and he completed a fellowship in hematology and bone marrow transplantation at the same institution. Dr. Abonour is widely respected for his knowledge and accomplishments in bone marrow transplantation. He has published extensively on topics concerning multiple myeloma and bone marrow transplantation and is often an invited lecturer at professional organizations’ annual meetings. He is a reviewer for several journals and has contributed to several medical books. He is an active member of the American College of Physicians, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Hematology, and the American Society for Bone and Marrow Transplantation. In 2005, Dr. Abonour received an Excellence in Hematology Malignancy from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

James W. Huston is the international best selling author of six novels. In addition to being an author, he is a partner in the law firm of Morrison and Foerster. Before law school he was a Naval Flight officer in F-14s and graduated from Topgun. He still writes, practices law full time, and lives with his wife and five children in San Diego. He was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in January of 2002. He has undergone most of the commonly used treatments including chemotherapy, thalidomide, an autologous stem cell transplant, and an allogeneic stem cell transplant. He continues to be very active, runs 3-5 miles a day, and recently renewed his pilot's license and medical certificate and flies every week.

Table of Contents

Preface v

Part 1 The Basics 1

Questions 1-11 explain what myeloma is and describe its components, associated disorders, and complications...

What is myeloma?

What is monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)?

What is a solitary plasmacytoma?

Part 2 Diagnosis and Staging 13

Questions 12-30 discuss diagnostic tests, staging, symptoms, prognosis, and more...

How is myeloma diagnosed?

What is serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP)?

What is serum protein immunofixation (SIFE)?

Part 3 Treatment Options 41

Questions 31-35 outline and describe the various treatments available to myeloma patients...

Should all cases of myeloma receive treatment?

What options are available for the treatment of myeloma?

What is the usual sequence of treatments for myeloma?

Part 4 Side Effects and Complications of Treatment 79

Questions 56-64 provide information on complications of myeloma treatment...

What are the main side effects of chemotherapy?

What precautions are necessary if my white blood cell (WBC) count is low because of chemotherapy?

My platelet count is low because of chemotherapy. What does that mean?

Part 5 Stem Cell Transplantation 91

Questions 65-78 explain stem cell transplantation, cell donor issues, and potential complications...

What is a stem cell, and how can it help in treatment of my myeloma?

Why are autologous stem cell transplants performed for myeloma?

What is the difference between a bone marrow transplant and a stem cell transplant?

Part 6 If Treatment Fails 111

Questions 79-85 offer strategies for coping with a poor prognosis...

How do I decide if active treatment is no longer worthwhile?

What is comfort care?

If I stop active anticancer therapy, what other options are available?

Part 7 Advocacy and Support 117

Questions 86-100 provide practical advice for the day-to-day dealing with symptoms and related issues...

Does myeloma run in families? Are my relatives at risk?

Should I receive immunoglobulin therapy?

Can I have a flu shot?

Appendix: Myeloma Information and Resources 133

A list of websites, organizations, and literature to help cancer patients and their families find additional information on general and specific topics related to myeloma.

Glossary 139

Index 147