I, like probably many multiple myeloma survivors, experience peripheral neuropathy.

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that is a result of nerve damage. It is commonly found in diabetes patients and older people, as well as those of us with multiple myeloma.

Symptoms include numbness in the hands and feet, loss of balance, trouble writing, opening jars, trouble with buttons or zippers, and/or pain in various parts of the body.

Sometimes people who suffer from peripheral neuropathy experience something best described as “stingers”–shooting nerve pain which can race up and down…

A group of French myeloma specialists recently published a review of treatment strategies for multiple myeloma patients who have relapsed or become resistant to previous therapies.

This Beacon article, the first in a two-part series, summarizes the review’s perspectives on the use of novel agents in the treatment of relapsed and refractory myeloma.  

A second Beacon article will look at the review’s insights into issues that need to be considered when choosing among relapse treatment options.

The authors of the recent review begin their discussion by noting how use…

Ever since I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma five and a half years ago, hardly a day goes by when I don’t read some breathtaking headline about the promise of “personalized medicine” in the treatment of cancer.

News article after news article declares that breakthroughs in unlocking cancer’s genetic code will lead to new, highly individualized, highly effective treatments.

Sounds great.  How could it not make your heart race a little faster knowing a cure is right around the corner?

Yet, when I go to talk to my doctor, none…

It had been my intention to write this column about the terrific experience I had recently when I attended the MMRF Gala.  What a spectacular event – so inspiring.

But, I am going to have to save that for next time, because last Thursday was The Most Difficult Day – the most challenging 24 hours my sisters and I have experienced so far in our myeloma journey.

The Most Difficult Day made me appreciate even more all the wonderful people who do their job well when working with myeloma patients.…

During the course of their disease, multiple myeloma patients some­times develop what physicians call either “extram­edullary disease,” “extra­medullary plasmacytomas,” or “extra­medullary myeloma.”

In medicine, when something is described as “extramedullary,” it means it is located outside of the bone marrow.

So “extramedullary” myeloma is myeloma that is outside of the bone marrow.

It occurs when malignant plasma cells collect together and form tumors in parts of the body other than a patient’s bones.

This can occur in any myeloma patient, but it appears to be more common in patients with…