From the Guidelines
To combat multiple myeloma beyond chemotherapy, it is essential to focus on a comprehensive approach that includes proper nutrition, regular exercise, and supportive therapies, as these can significantly improve quality of life and support the immune system. When considering the best strategies beyond chemotherapy, maintaining a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains is crucial, while limiting processed foods, excessive sugar, and alcohol 1. Aim for moderate exercise like walking, swimming, or gentle yoga for 150 minutes weekly, adjusting intensity based on your energy levels and treatment status. Staying well-hydrated with 8-10 glasses of water daily is also important.
Consideration of mind-body practices such as meditation, deep breathing, or tai chi can help manage stress, which is a significant factor in managing multiple myeloma 1. Ensuring adequate rest and sleep is vital, as fatigue is a common symptom associated with the disease. Bone health is crucial for patients with multiple myeloma, so taking calcium (1000-1200mg daily) and vitamin D (800-1000 IU daily) supplements as recommended by your doctor can help support bone health. Joining support groups to connect with others facing similar challenges can provide emotional support and improve overall well-being.
Key Components of a Comprehensive Approach
- A balanced diet to support immune function and overall health
- Regular, moderate exercise to maintain strength and mobility
- Mind-body practices for stress management
- Adequate rest and sleep to combat fatigue
- Supportive therapies, including supplements for bone health as recommended by a healthcare provider
- Participation in support groups for emotional support and connection with others
It is crucial to discuss these complementary approaches with your healthcare team to ensure they complement your specific treatment plan and do not interfere with medical treatments. By incorporating these strategies into your care plan, you can better support your immune system, manage treatment side effects, and improve your quality of life while living with multiple myeloma 1.
From the Research
Combating Multiple Myeloma
Besides chemotherapy, several approaches can be taken to combat multiple myeloma, including:
- Diet: Although there is no specific diet recommended for multiple myeloma patients, a healthy and balanced diet can help manage symptoms and improve overall health 2.
- Exercise: Regular exercise can help improve physical function, reduce fatigue, and enhance quality of life for multiple myeloma patients 3.
- Supportive therapy: Supportive therapy, such as bisphosphonates, radiation therapy, and orthopaedic surgery, may be required to manage complications of the disease and side effects of treatment 2.
Emerging Treatments
Several emerging treatments are being developed for multiple myeloma, including:
- Novel agents: New proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs, and monoclonal antibodies are being developed and evaluated in clinical trials 4, 5.
- Targeted therapies: BCMA-targeted BiTE, antibody-drug conjugates, and CAR-T cells have shown promise in clinical trials and may revolutionize the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma 4.
- Combination regimens: Combination regimens incorporating proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs, and other agents have improved response rates and survival outcomes for multiple myeloma patients 5, 6.
Management and Treatment
The management and treatment of multiple myeloma involve:
- Diagnosis: Accurate diagnosis is based on several factors, including physical evaluation, patient history, symptoms, and diagnostic testing results 2, 3.
- Staging: The Revised International Staging System is used to assess estimated progression-free survival and overall survival 3.
- Treatment: Standard first-line therapy consists of a combination of an injectable proteasome inhibitor, an oral immunomodulatory agent, and dexamethasone, followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and maintenance therapy with lenalidomide 3, 6.