Stem Cell/ Bone Marrow Donation

[Spirit Dancer]

Have you ever considered becoming a donor?
Think of the life you could save, so many people need donors
and are unable to find a match, what if you were a match?
http://www.marrow.org/JOIN/Join_Now/join_now.html

[Andrew, Jr.]

Thank you Spirit Dancer for this. It is so needed. Very much so.

[Andrew, Jr.]

A cheek sample is all that is needed to do this. :motorbike:

[IttyBittyFem]

My "Cheek Sample" is on the waiting list. It was a piece of cake! :)

[Spirit Dancer]

A cheek sample is all that is needed to do this. :motorbike:


My "Cheek Sample" is on the waiting list. It was a piece of cake! :)

Bless you both, people still believe that it's extremely painful
however it is just a cheek swab. If you match it's as simple as 4 injections and an IV to harvest the cells.
Thank you both for taking time to post.:cheer:

[Spirit Dancer]

Bump just because it needs to be repeated

[WolfyOne]

This is the first time I've seen this thread and probably would have missed it had SD not bumped it. I found this so interesting that I just put it on my FB to share with my friends. Perhaps some of them will take the time to share with their friends. It would be cool if this was spread all around FB. So, if you have a FB account, it only takes a click to share it from the link SD posted.

[Spirit Dancer]

Bumping this thread up
not ever patient can donate their own stem cells
and even when they do there is still a chance
they will NOT go into remission.
Donors are desperately needed to save their lives.
Again it only takes a cheek swab:)

[Andrew, Jr.]

Soo much can be done with stem cells. I really believe that stem cells kept my sister alive for 3 years after being diagnosed with skin cancer, melanoma. Most die within a year of diagnosis. It was a blessing.

A ton of research is being done at NIH with new stem cells and other various cancers. In fact, there is new thinking about a breast cancer vaccine that Yale & Duke are working on.

It also helps if you have a family history of cancer, and you participate in a swab. It really will benefit so many in the end. I look at it like cord blood from newborns. Just amazing technology nowadays. We just have to look outside the box.

[chefhmboyrd]

i would be happy to donate anything that will help
i am also signed up for organ donation on my license
and i give blood as often as possible.

:fastdraq:

i just registered
be looking for my kit in the mail

[Spirit Dancer]

i would be happy to donate anything that will help
i am also signed up for organ donation on my license
and i give blood as often as possible.

:fastdraq:

i just registered
be looking for my kit in the mail

Chef
I'm so glad that you are awaiting your kit,
what a wonderful gift you are doing.
In saving another and aiding in a cure.
So I say thank you for your gift.:moonstars:

[SuperFemme]

i think it's amazing that you started this thread.
lives will be saved.

now i just wish i could get a spare liver. :seeingstars:

[Spirit Dancer]

i think it's amazing that you started this thread.
lives will be saved.

now i just wish i could get a spare liver. :seeingstars:

W/we are keeping you in light and healing
and know there are those who can be tested to
donate partial liver to you.
Do you need people to be tested?? let's send out an SOS
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/liver_transplant/article_em.htm

[suebee]

Bumping this thread up
not ever patient can donate their own stem cells
and even when they do there is still a chance
they will NOT go into remission.
Donors are desperately needed to save their lives.
Again it only takes a cheek swab:)

When I'm able to I'll certainly be putting my name on the registry. Three more years. :hangloose:

So, in the interest of full disclosure: folks who are interested should read the information on the link Spirit Dancer provided. All it takes to REGISTER is a cheek swab. From that they can determine if you're a match to anyone on the waiting list. Donation is a different procedure if you should be a suitable match. But it sure is worth it if you end up saving a life!

[chefhmboyrd]

i think it's amazing that you started this thread.
lives will be saved.

now i just wish i could get a spare liver. :seeingstars:

if you and i get a match you are welcome to part of mine
i have been pretty good to it, for the most part.

ps..... masturbating doesn't harm the liver does it?????????/

[SuperFemme]

W/we are keeping you in light and healing
and know there are those who can be tested to
donate partial liver to you.
Do you need people to be tested?? let's send out an SOS
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/liver_transplant/article_em.htm

I was JUST having this conversation with my eldest.
I had no idea a partial liver would do.
I see the dr. this afternoon and should have a better idea of where
things stand when test results are given today.

I just might need that SOS.

[SuperFemme]

if you and i get a match you are welcome to part of mine
i have been pretty good to it, for the most part.

ps..... masturbating doesn't harm the liver does it?????????/

awww. thanks.
and i wonder if i get part of your liver if i will become a chronic masturbater too?
oh. wait.....

[Spirit Dancer]

When I'm able to I'll certainly be putting my name on the registry. Three more years. :hangloose:

So, in the interest of full disclosure: folks who are interested should read the information on the link Spirit Dancer provided. All it takes to REGISTER is a cheek swab. From that they can determine if you're a match to anyone on the waiting list. Donation is a different procedure if you should be a suitable match. But it sure is worth it if you end up saving a life!

Afternoon Cynbersuebee
The donation is actually very easy too, it only requires four daily injections to produce those wonderful little stem cells, then you're hooked up to an IV and they harvest them, it's about as painful as donating blood and is done in the same fashion as blood donation.
Now if they need the bone marrow donation that is a bit painful as they harvest from the iliac crest and it requires more. The plus side is around 95% are now done through IV harvesting. Yay for you on alomst the 3 yr mark(f)

[SuperFemme]

Afternoon Cynbersuebee
The donation is actually very easy too, it only requires four daily injections to produce those wonderful little stem cells, then you're hooked up to an IV and they harvest them, it's about as painful as donating blood and is done in the same fashion as blood donation.
Now if they need the bone marrow donation that is a bit painful as they harvest from the iliac crest and it requires more. The plus side is around 95% are now done through IV harvesting. Yay for you on alomst the 3 yr mark(f)

One afternoon or a few days of discomfort vs. saving a life?
That's not a hard decision to make.
Now that I know the pain that goes with the big "C"?
Even a needle in the hip bone to save somebody from that cannot compare. :candle:

[Toughy]

Yes, it's just a cheek swab to determine your HLA typing, however if you are a match it can be a very different story depending on whether it's bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells (this comes from the FAQ of marrow.org website):

Q: How are bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donation different?

A: Donating bone marrow is a surgical procedure done under general or regional anesthesia in a hospital. While a donor receives anesthesia, doctors use needles to withdraw liquid marrow from the back of the pelvic bone.

PBSC donation is a non-surgical procedure done in an outpatient clinic. PBSC donors receive daily injections of a drug called filgrastim for five days, to increase the number of blood-forming cells in the bloodstream. Then, through a process called apheresis, a donor's blood is removed through a needle in one arm and passed through a machine that separates out the blood-forming cells. The remaining blood is returned to the donor through the other arm.

[SuperFemme]

if i had pure marrow i would do it in a second.
but then, i am no stranger to bone marrow aspirations so it doesn't frighten me.

[Blaze]

Thank you Spirit Dancer for posting this thread. I went to work this morning. :| I talked with my CEO and she sent out a e-mail to everyone in our facility. I was so happy to see the response! We will be having a drive Tuesday. And at this very moment we have 64 people signed up to get there cheek swab, and yes, I had to explain to a few of our fellow employees that it's not the cheek that there originally thinking about :hamactor:
Finally our hospital has something to be excited about besides donating blood. Once again, what a wonderful Idea Spirit Dancer, now if I can get the other 39 associates to swab away!

[Spirit Dancer]

Thank you Spirit Dancer for posting this thread. I went to work this morning. :| I talked with my CEO and she sent out a e-mail to everyone in our facility. I was so happy to see the response! We will be having a drive Tuesday. And at this very moment we have 64 people signed up to get there cheek swab, and yes, I had to explain to a few of our fellow employees that it's not the cheek that there originally thinking about :hamactor:
Finally our hospital has something to be excited about besides donating blood. Once again, what a wonderful Idea Spirit Dancer, now if I can get the other 39 associates to swab away!

Blaze
Thank you and your co workers, such a wonderful gift
you all are giving.
Wishing now there were more drives for Bone Marrow and Stem Cell
what a great idea you had.:clap:

[Blaze]

Blaze
Thank you and your co workers, such a wonderful gift
you all are giving.
Wishing now there were more drives for Bone Marrow and Stem Cell
what a great idea you had.:clap:

On the contrary my dear. It was your posting that got me thinking that it would be a wonderful drive to do. We all give blood. It was now time to get my hospital co-workers to step it up and give more. So. It is you, that should get the applause and thanks!

[friskyfemme]

I had plannd to do this a couple of years after a news article published about a local guy needing a bone marrow transplant. However, during my procrastination, the young man died. I will never know if I could have been a match. Still wears on me. I didn't know there was a registry. Thanks for bringing this to my awareness. And stem cell donation!?
How does that work with live donors? Did I miss that?

[Spirit Dancer]

I had plannd to do this a couple of years after a news article published about a local guy needing a bone marrow transplant. However, during my procrastination, the young man died. I will never know if I could have been a match. Still wears on me. I didn't know there was a registry. Thanks for bringing this to my awareness. And stem cell donation!?
How does that work with live donors? Did I miss that?

Live Donor Liver Transplantation
Sander Florman1 and Charles M. Miller2
1Tulane University School of Medicine, Tulane University Hospital and Clinic, New Orleans, LA,
and 2The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH
Received January 10, 2005; accepted February 2, 2006.
With ever-increasing demand for liver replacement, supply of organs is the limiting factor and a significant number of patients
die while waiting. Live donor liver transplantation has emerged as an important option for many patients, particularly small
pediatric patients and those adults that are disadvantaged by the current deceased donor allocation system. Ideally there would
be no need to subject perfectly healthy people in the prime of their lives to a potentially life-threatening operation to procure
transplantable organs. Donor safety is imperative and cannot be compromised regardless of the implication for the intended
recipient. The evolution of split liver transplantation is the basis upon which live donor transplantation has become possible.
The live donor procedures are considerably more complex than whole organ decreased donor transplantation and there are
unique considerations involved in the assessment of any specific recipient and donor. Donor selection and evaluation have
become highly specialized. The critical issue of size matching is determined by both the actual size of the donor graft and the
recipient as well as the degree of recipient portal hypertension. The outcomes after live donor liver transplantation have been
at least comparable to those of deceased donor transplantation. Nevertheless, all efforts should be made to improve deceased
donor donation so as to minimize the need for live donors. Transplant physicians, particularly surgeons, must take
responsibility for regulating and overseeing these procedures. Liver Transpl 12:499-510, 2006. © 2006 AASLD.

[Spirit Dancer]

The demand for liver transplantation has continued to
increase in the last three decades and has far outpaced
the supply of organs from deceased donors. In the U.S.
alone, more than 90,000 people are on transplant waiting
lists, whereas the number of deceased liver donors
in recent years has remained stable at approximately
6,000.1 More than 18,000 patients are waiting
for livers. Allocation of these precious, life-saving organs
is currently dictated by patients’ scores on the
Model for End-stage Liver Disease, a disease-severity
index based solely on bilirubin, creatinine, and international
normalized ratio. The Model for End-stage
Liver Disease (or, in children, the Pediatric End-stage
Liver Disease model) allows prioritization of the sickest
patients.2,3 Still, death on the waiting list in 2004 was
greater than 10%.1
Faced with these statistics, physicians caring for
these patients have endeavored to perform transplants
with partial liver grafts from healthy, volunteer live donors.
An estimated 7,000 living donor liver transplants
have been performed worldwide.

[Spirit Dancer]

ADVANTAGES OF LIVE DONORS
Organs from living donors offer many potential advantages
over organs from brain-dead donors. The most important
advantages of live donation are that it optimizes
the timing of transplantation and frees patients from the
waiting list. These factors have become especially helpful
for patients who are disadvantaged by the cadaver organ
allocation scheme, including patients with tumors, cholestatic
diseases, or blood type O, as well as those who are
retransplantation candidates.
Preservation time is minimal in live donor transplants,
so there is significantly less ischemic damage to
the liver. Live donors are by definition healthy, and
therefore the quality of the donated liver is much better.
Brain death results in many adverse pathophysiologic
effects that damage the liver. Perhaps most importantly,
live donor transplantation increases the global
pool of transplantable organs, allowing more people to
benefit from this potentially life-saving therapy.
DISADVANTAGES OF LIVE DONORS
There are, however, a number of disadvantages to live
donor transplantation which must be considered carefully.
The donor, a perfectly healthy volunteer, faces
unequivocal risks of morbidity and even mortality
which put the procedure at odds with the very basic
tenets of medicine and the oath that all physicians
pledge to keep: Primum non nocere – First, cause no
harm. The risk of death for donors of a left lateral segment
or a left lobe is estimated to be approximately
0.1%, whereas the risk for donors of a right lobe is
estimated to be approximately 0.4 to 0.5%.25

[Spirit Dancer]

Here is a link to the entire article
with graphs
http://www.aasld.org/conferences/Documents/CAQ%20Corner%20Documents/Florman.pdf

[friskyfemme]

So 'live stem cell donor' is liver transplant? My sister has just been diagnosed with 'C'. She has started chemo therapy with a research drug (weekly injections and daily pill). If after six months the treatment looks as if it is working she will continue, otherwise, next year there is a new drug regiment being introduced, She will start on that one. If that doesn't show results in 6 months, then she will need the transplant. I was thinking I needed to wait to check for match on the liver. So I will go ahead and test for her match. Can one person do more that a one time 'live liver donation' after regrowing the liver?

[Spirit Dancer]

Link for Peripheral blood stem cell donation
http://www.stjude.org/SJFile/stem_cell_peripheral_blood_sc_donation.pdf

One more important fact
Q: Who pays for the donation process?
A: Donors never pay for donating, and are never paid to donate.

All medical costs for the donation procedure are covered by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), which operates the Be The Match Registry, or by the patient's medical insurance, as are travel expenses and other non-medical costs. The only costs to the donor might be time taken off from work.

[Spirit Dancer]

So 'live stem cell donor' is liver transplant? My sister has just been diagnosed with 'C'. She has started chemo therapy with a research drug (weekly injections and daily pill). If after six months the treatment looks as if it is working she will continue, otherwise, next year there is a new drug regiment being introduced, She will start on that one. If that doesn't show results in 6 months, then she will need the transplant. I was thinking I needed to wait to check for match on the liver. So I will go ahead and test for her match. Can one person do more that a one time 'live liver donation' after regrowing the liver?

FF
The live donor part was for a partial liver transplant. Stem Cells are harvested the same way as a blood donation unless it is a bone marrow donation then it is a surgical procedure. I'm not sure if it would be wise to donate a partial liver more than once, I'll look into it, makes an interesting question. Will add your sister to the candle list if it is okay with you.

[friskyfemme]

Here is a link to the entire article
with graphs
http://www.aasld.org/conferences/Documents/CAQ%20Corner%20Documents/Florman.pdf
Well apparently, I am not an acceptable age group for liver donation.

[Spirit Dancer]

So we all know the facts from myth


Myths & Facts about Bone Marrow Donation
Learn the facts about bone marrow donation to help you make an informed decision about joining the Be The Match Registry®.

MYTH:
All bone marrow donations involve surgery.

FACT:
The majority of donations do not involve surgery. Today, the patient's doctor most often requests a peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donation, which is non-surgical.

The second way of donating is marrow donation, which is a surgical procedure.

In each case, donors typically go home the same day they donate.

MYTH:
Donating is painful and involves a long recovery.

FACT:
There can be uncomfortable but short-lived side effects of donating PBSC. Due to taking a drug called filgrastim for five days leading up to donation, PBSC donors may have headaches, joint or muscle aches, or fatigue. PBSC donors are typically back to their normal routine in one to two days.

Those donating marrow receive general or regional anesthesia, so they feel no pain during donation. Marrow donors can expect to feel some soreness in their lower back for one to two weeks afterward. Most marrow donors are back to their normal activities in two to seven days.

MYTH:
Donating is dangerous and weakens the donor.

FACT:
Though no medical procedure is without risk, there are rarely any long-term side effects. Be The Match® carefully prescreens all donors to ensure they are healthy and the procedure is safe for them. We also provide support and information every step of the way.

Because only five percent or less of a donor's marrow is needed to save the patient's life, the donor's immune system stays strong and the cells replace themselves within four to six weeks.

MYTH:
In bone marrow donation, pieces of bone are removed from the donor.

FACT:
No pieces of bone are taken during marrow donation. Only the liquid marrow found inside the pelvic bone is needed to save the patient's life.
http://www.marrow.org/JOIN/Myths_&_Facts_about_Marrow_Don/index.html

[SuperFemme]

W/we are keeping you in light and healing
and know there are those who can be tested to
donate partial liver to you.
Do you need people to be tested?? let's send out an SOS
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/liver_transplant/article_em.htm

Saw the Dr. and partial liver donations will not be an option.
He said that it will be an all or nothing situation but he doesn't
think I will be approved due to the leukemia.

So I asked if it was basically a race to the finish line.

He said yes, and I am fine with that.

Still, there are so many people who can be helped. I have probably been a tiny bit sanctimonious about the subject because it means so much to me me me. That is not fair and I did not intend to sound like people who do not want to donate are somehow bad or wrong. I'm so sorry if I came off like that.

What Cancer Cannot Do
Author: Unknown

Cancer is so limited...
It cannot cripple love.
It cannot shatter hope.
It cannot corrode faith.
It cannot eat away peace.
It cannot destroy confidence.
It cannot kill friendship.
It cannot shut out memories.
It cannot silence courage.
It cannot reduce eternal life.
It cannot quench the Spirit.

[Spirit Dancer]

Saw the Dr. and partial liver donations will not be an option.
He said that it will be an all or nothing situation but he doesn't
think I will be approved due to the leukemia.

So I asked if it was basically a race to the finish line.

He said yes, and I am fine with that.

Still, there are so many people who can be helped. I have probably been a tiny bit sanctimonious about the subject because it means so much to me me me. That is not fair and I did not intend to sound like people who do not want to donate are somehow bad or wrong. I'm so sorry if I came off like that.

What Cancer Cannot Do
Author: Unknown

Cancer is so limited...
It cannot cripple love.
It cannot shatter hope.
It cannot corrode faith.
It cannot eat away peace.
It cannot destroy confidence.
It cannot kill friendship.
It cannot shut out memories.
It cannot silence courage.
It cannot reduce eternal life.
It cannot quench the Spirit.

SF
You in no way came off like that, as a matter of fact it is about you and your fight to live.
Never feel that way okay.:) Sending healing light your way with woo (f)

[WolfyOne]

i think it's amazing that you started this thread.
lives will be saved.

now i just wish i could get a spare liver. :seeingstars:


I'd offer up any part of me that would save you........I loves you my friend :)

[friskyfemme]

Thank you please add my sister to the candlelist-Becky McGurn. She is mother of 4; GM of 4. She is a vibrant, loving and caring person.

[Spirit Dancer]

Thank you please add my sister to the candlelist-Becky McGurn. She is mother of 4; GM of 4. She is a vibrant, loving and caring person.

FF
Adding her to O/our list here and at home,
healing light to you all during this time. :vigil:

[Spirit Dancer]

http://www.lightthenight.org/

[always2late]

Ten years ago, when I had my son, I had placental stem cells and cord blood harvested. If you, or anyone you know is pregnant, please encourage them to do so. Its a way to donate these much needed cells from something that usually just ends up in medical waste disposal.

http://stemcellumbilicalcordblood.com/

[Spirit Dancer]

Ten years ago, when I had my son, I had placental stem cells and cord blood harvested. If you, or anyone you know is pregnant, please encourage them to do so. Its a way to donate these much needed cells from something that usually just ends up in medical waste disposal.

http://stemcellumbilicalcordblood.com/
Thank you for that link, I'd forgotten about cord blood.:praying:

[chefhmboyrd]

i did my swabs and sent them off
i would be glad to help someone out
@

[Spirit Dancer]

Okay so a good friend of mine pointed out that when
you go to the apply for the swab kit,
the myeloma foundation wil ask you
for money, it's asking for a donation.
You in no way have to donate to obtain a kit
just click continue to proceed and at the end process
it will ask again if you would like to donate,
you can opt out and you will still receive the kit.
After all the greatest gift you can give is simply
by being tested.:vigil:
Thanks Wolfy for pointing this out:)

[Spirit Dancer]

Wanted to share this experience here, in case it may help
someone else out.
You are your family members best advocate, especially if they cannot
voice their issues or concerns at this time.
If they've been told all avenues have been exhausted and the only road left is clinical trial.
Know that if the doctors want to keep you on even low dose chemo,
that can diqualify you from most trials. Ideally they like you to be
on a rest period first then start your trial.
When a cancer patient is already struggling with their diagnosis and the issues related to it,
you the caregiver are their best advocate.
A journal and planner have been my best friend throughout this fight.

[Spirit Dancer]

*~Bump~*
It isn't painful, it's on the same principle of donating blood.
It can save a life:hangloose:

[sweetfemme247]

I just ordered my kit

[Spirit Dancer]

Multiple Myeloma Prognosis
Multiple myeloma prognosis depends on several factors that influence the outcome of this cancer. The following article will cover some information on the life expectancy of patients suffering from this cancer.




Transplant Survival Rates Important Info For Transplant Patients - Before and After Surgery www.TransplantExperience.com




The cancer that affects plasma cells in the bone marrow is called multiple myeloma cancer. It is also known as plasma cell myeloma and Kahler's disease. Abnormal number of plasma cells accumulate in bones and causes bone lesions. These bone lesions occur in the bone marrow. This causes interference in the production of normal blood cells.

What is the Prognosis for Multiple Myeloma?
The prognosis is a type of medical opinion that helps a patient learn about the course of disease. It helps patients learn their chances of surviving the cancer and the odds of recurrence. The prognosis depends on several factors that help determine the chances a patient has. These factors are as follows: •The extent to which the cancer has spread (stages of multiple myeloma)
•Multiple myeloma grade
•Patients age
•Patients general health
•Response to treatment
The prognosis depends on these factors. The doctors base their prognosis on information that has been collected by researchers over the years. Each patient is different, so will be their prognosis.

Life Expectancy
It depends on the above prognosis factors. Other than that, it also depends on, if a certain immunoglobulin is present in the blood, kidneys are damaged and the response to initial treatment. The treatments aim for preventing or relieving symptoms. It also helps destroy abnormal plasma cells and reduces the rate of disease progression. Multiple myeloma is an incurable disease therefore one can only hope to keep the progression of this disorder in check.

Life expectancy is about 5.1 years, in case of stage 1. The life expectancy for Stage 2 is approximately 3 to 4 years and in case of stage 3 the life expectancy reduces to 2 years. The prognosis without treatment shows poor survival rate. About 15% of patients with this disease die within 6 months without treatment.

Different Types of Multiple Myeloma
Myeloma is classified into two types; inactive and active disease. The active disease requires immediate treatment as the typical symptoms are exhibited by the patient. The stage 1 and stage 2 of this disorder fall under the symptomatic or active disease. Inactive disease is asymptomatic in nature. The different subtypes of inactive disease include Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS), Smoldering Multiple Myeloma (SMM), Indolent Multiple Myeloma (IMM) and stage I disease.

Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) is a condition where abnormal monoclonal protein is present in the blood. This condition is benign, and has no health complications. However, in some cases, the condition progresses to some form of cancer. The Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance prognosis shows the risk of progressing to multiple myeloma to about 1 percent per year.

Smoldering myeloma is a slow-growing type. It is an asymptomatic cancer that is seen in people with different types of myeloma. Certain white blood cells are affected, that causes them to make too much of monoclonal protein. The Smoldering Multiple Myeloma prognosis depends on the levels of plasma cells in the bone marrow and M protein in serum. Those patients with less than 10% plasma cells and more the 3 g/dL of M protein in serum show a median progression time of about 19 years. Those with more than 10% percent plasma cells and more than 3 g/dL serum M protein have a progression time of 2 years. However, there are chances that Smoldering Multiple Myeloma never reaches the symptomatic stage.

Indolent Multiple Myeloma life expectancy is calculated to about 10 years after diagnosis. The prognosis without treatment is said to be about 6 months. Stage I is comparatively very good, especially in cases where patient is young and healthier. The stage I multiple myeloma life expectancy is estimated to be about 62 months. Stage II survival rate is estimated to be about 44 months and stage II has a life expectancy of just 29 months.

With the advancement in medical technology, life expectancy for different forms of cancers is improving. Also, better palliative care and holistic multiple myeloma treatment approach is making lives of cancer patients better. The 5 year survival rate is about 35%. One should keep in mind as everyone is different, so is the prognosis different in different cases.

[Spirit Dancer]

How is multiple myeloma staged?


Staging is the process of finding out how much the cancer has advanced. It is important for treatment options and prognosis. Prognosis is a prediction of the course of disease—the outlook for the chances of survival. Knowing all you can about staging lets you take a more active role in making informed decisions about your treatment.

Multiple myeloma may be staged using the Durie-Salmon system. Although some doctors use this system, its value is becoming limited because of newer diagnostic methods. Recently, a new staging system called the International Staging System for Multiple Myeloma has been developed. It relies mainly on levels of albumin and beta-2-microglobulin in the blood. Other factors that may be important are kidney function, platelet count and the patient's age.

The Durie-Salmon staging system

This system is based on 4 factors:
• The amount of abnormal monoclonal immunoglobulin in the blood or urine: Large amounts of monoclonal immunoglobulin indicate that many malignant plasma cells are present and are producing that abnormal protein.
• The amount of calcium in the blood: High blood calcium levels are also related to advanced bone damage. Because bone normally contains lots of calcium, bone destruction releases calcium into the blood.
• The severity of bone damage based on x-rays: Multiple areas of bone damage seen on x-rays indicate an advanced stage of multiple myeloma.
• The amount of hemoglobin in the blood: Hemoglobin is the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Low hemoglobin levels indicate that the myeloma cells occupy much of the bone marrow and that not enough space is left for the normal marrow cells that produce red blood cells.

This system uses these factors to divide myeloma into 3 stages. Stage I indicates the smallest amount of tumor, and stage III indicates the largest amount of tumor:

Stage I

A relatively small number of myeloma cells are found. All of the following features must be present:
• Hemoglobin level only slightly below normal (still above 10 g/dL)
• Bone x-rays appear normal or show only 1 area of bone damage
• Normal blood calcium levels (less than 12 mg/dL)
• Relatively small amount of monoclonal immunoglobulin in blood or urine

Stage II

A moderate number of myeloma cells are present. Features are between stage I and stage III.

Stage III

A large number of myeloma cells are found. One or more of the following features must be present:
• Low hemoglobin level (below 8.5 g/dL)
• High blood calcium level (above 12 mg/dL)
• 3 or more areas of bone destroyed by the cancer
• Large amount of monoclonal immunoglobulin in blood or urine

The International Staging System

This system divides myeloma into 3 stages based only on the serum beta-2 microglobulin and serum albumin levels.

Stage I

Serum beta-2 microglobulin is less than 3.5 (mg/L) and the albumin level is above 3.5 (g/L)

Stage II

Neither stage I or III, meaning that either:
• The beta-2 microglobulin level is between 3.5 and 5.5 (with any albumin level),

OR
• The albumin is below 3.5 while the beta-2 microglobulin is less than 3.5

Stage III

Serum beta-2 microglobulin is greater than 5.5.

Other factors that affect survival

Kidney function

The blood creatinine (Cr) level shows how healthy the kidneys are. Kidneys eliminate this chemical from the body. When they are damaged by the monoclonal immunoglobulin, blood creatinine levels rise, predicting a worse outlook.

Age

Age is also important. In the studies of the international staging system, older people with myeloma do not live as long.

Labeling index

The myeloma cell labeling index, sometimes called the plasma cell labeling index, indicates how fast the cancer cells are growing. This test is done in specialized labs, using myeloma cells from bone marrow samples. A high labeling index can predict a more rapid accumulation of cancer cells and a worse outlook.

Chromosome studies

The bone marrow may be sent for tests to look at the chromosomes in the malignant cells. Certain chromosome changes can indicate a poorer outlook. For example, changes in chromosome 13 will lower the chances for survival. Another genetic abnormality that predicts a poor outcome is an exchange of material from chromosomes 4 and 14. This is called a translocation.

Last Medical Review: 08/04/2011
Last Revised: 07/24/2012

http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/MultipleMyeloma/DetailedGuide/multiple-myeloma-staging

[Spirit Dancer]

Have you ever considered becoming a donor?
Think of the life you could save, so many people need donors
and are unable to find a match, what if you were a match?
http://www.marrow.org/JOIN/Join_Now/join_now.html

[WolfyOne]

I have been on the bone marrow registry for quite some time now and last week was contacted that I may be a match for someone. Sadly after I told them my IBS has been flaring up and they needed to know that before we went any further, I was told that I have to be free of flare ups for at least a year. I don't see where this is ever going to be possible because I have some really bad flare ups a few times a year. I wonder why they never said that to me when I first signed up and sent my info to them. I'm really bummed that I could have helped someone and they won't let me :(

[aishah]

i would love to be a donor but am excluded due to my medical conditions (i am listed as an organ donor though). i definitely encourage others who can to donate. i wish i could.

[firegal]

Been on the registry for years,was a partial match for lil sis, And for unk person.

Wished i was a complete match.

[CherylNYC]

I have been on the bone marrow registry for quite some time now and last week was contacted that I may be a match for someone. Sadly after I told them my IBS has been flaring up and they needed to know that before we went any further, I was told that I have to be free of flare ups for at least a year. I don't see where this is ever going to be possible because I have some really bad flare ups a few times a year. I wonder why they never said that to me when I first signed up and sent my info to them. I'm really bummed that I could have helped someone and they won't let me :(

Really?! IBS disqualifies a person from becoming a donor? I had considered signing up to become a donor, but I'm constantly affected by IBS. What's the justification for excluding those of us with this condition?

[WolfyOne]

Really?! IBS disqualifies a person from becoming a donor? I had considered signing up to become a donor, but I'm constantly affected by IBS. What's the justification for excluding those of us with this condition?


The email didn't say what the justification was. just said I need to be flare up free for a year.

This as those who have IBS, know that, that isn't possible.

[aishah]

Really?! IBS disqualifies a person from becoming a donor? I had considered signing up to become a donor, but I'm constantly affected by IBS. What's the justification for excluding those of us with this condition?

they have a huge list on their websites of conditions, disabilities, or life choices that exclude someone from donating (i'm like 3 for 3 i think, LOL). many of them don't seem (to me at least) to make a lot of sense. they don't have to give any justification, though.

[thedivahrrrself]

Funny I should run across this thread today. Over the weekend, I found a pack of bandaids at the pharmacy that included a kit for sending in a sample of your blood (when you've cut yourself anyway) to see if you might be a match for someone for a bone marrow donor.

I'd never considered, but I think if I was a match to someone, I'd definitely donate. So, hit up your local walgreens/cvs. they're only like $3, or mine was on sale for 99 cents. :)

[Spirit Dancer]

Really?! IBS disqualifies a person from becoming a donor? I had considered signing up to become a donor, but I'm constantly affected by IBS. What's the justification for excluding those of us with this condition?

I have been on the bone marrow registry for quite some time now and last week was contacted that I may be a match for someone. Sadly after I told them my IBS has been flaring up and they needed to know that before we went any further, I was told that I have to be free of flare ups for at least a year. I don't see where this is ever going to be possible because I have some really bad flare ups a few times a year. I wonder why they never said that to me when I first signed up and sent my info to them. I'm really bummed that I could have helped someone and they won't let me :(

Wolfy and Cheryl
Eagle Spirit has chemo today, so i'll ask what the reason is and they let you know. It might have to do with the injections to produce more stem cells as it can cause discomfort and possibly bowel distubance for a few days. At any rate we and others appreciate that you even tried to donate.:praying:

[Spirit Dancer]

We spoke to the hematology oncologist today regarding the stem cell donations and the pre exsisting condition policy, as for the IBS issue it's as i thought the neupogen injections that are given to produce excessive stem cells can also cause some bowel disturbance if you're in a flare up the pain can be worse hence the year free of IBS. Again we all appreciate that those who were so willing to be tested:praying:

[Tommi]

We spoke to the hematology oncologist today regarding the stem cell donations and the pre exsisting condition policy, as for the IBS issue it's as i thought the neupogen injections that are given to produce excessive stem cells can also cause some bowel disturbance if you're in a flare up the pain can be worse hence the year free of IBS. Again we all appreciate that those who were so willing to be tested:praying:

Thanks for the update. I didn't qualify.....:(
I had one of the cancer's not acceptable, even though it's been 8 years.
.

[DapperButch]

Thanks for the update. I didn't qualify.....:(
I had one of the cancer's not acceptable, even though it's been 8 years.
.

It has only been over a year since treatment for me. Seems as though the time doesn't matter, it is the type of cancer. I agree w/better safe than sorry, though.

[Hollylane]

Registered and requested the kit...

[Spirit Dancer]

~~~~~BuMp~~~~~

[firegal]

Thanks for the bump spirit...I've never seen this thread.

My lil sis did a stem cell transplant. It gave us 3 yrs that we wouldn't of had.

I hope all those that see this thread seriously think about joining a register ....they may give someone life whose loved ones are praying for such.

It's what life is about....giving to others.

Thank you to all that have courage enough to give of themselves.

Terry

Ps I so admire those courageous souls fighting the cancer battle...they are the true heroes.....my lil sis was one!