Cancer

Symptoms of Multiple Myeloma Multiple Myeloma is often symptomless in the early stages and difficult to diagnose. Symptoms  may appear gradually as the underlying issues develop. Symptoms are usually multifactorial. Fatigue and reduced activity levels due to anemia (low blood count or poor kidney functioning. Shortness of breath due to anemia and exertion. Bone pain or fractures as the bone density has decreased. Pain is experience in the middle or lower back, ribs or hip area. Numbness…

Causes of Multiple Myeloma The exact cause of multiple myeloma remains unknown. Genetic research shows that mutations in some oncogenes may be responsible for multiple myeloma.   Certain factors that increase risk of Multiple Myeloma include: Age above 65 years Men more than women Family History Obesity Previous exposure to Radiation therapy Exposure to Environmental agents such as insecticides, organic solvents, and agent orange. Other Plasma cell Disorders. These include precancerous…

Overview Multiple Myeloma (MM) is also called Kahler’s disease. It is a cancer of the plasma cells. Plasma cells are normally found in the bone marrow and play an important part in our immune system. They  are responsible for producing antibodies called immunoglobulins which attack and kill germs.  When plasma cells become cancerous and divide rapidly, it is called Multiple Myeloma. Cancerours plsma cells make an abnormal protein called monoclonal immunoglobulin or M-protein/spike or…

कैंसर रोगी और उत्तरजीवी (सर्वाईवर) यात्रा कर सकते हैं, पर उन्हें कुछ ख़ास बातों का ख़याल रखना चाहिए। इस लेख में इस के लिए डॉ. शीतल पटेल से कुछ सुझाव हैं और उर्वी सबनीस, नंदिता मुरलीधर और मोना चौधरी (सभी कैंसर उत्तरजीवी / सर्वाईवर) का बहुमूल्य योगदान भी शामिल है। कैंसर रोगी को किसी भी यात्रा को शुरू करने से पहले अपने डॉक्टर की सहमति ज़रूर प्राप्त कर लेनी चाहिए। यात्रा का कार्यक्रम ऐसा बनाएं ताकि आप यात्रा के कारण अपने किसी भी टेस्ट या फॉलो-उप अपॉइंटमेंट से न चूकें। यात्रा करने के लिए ध्यान रहे कि…

Developing menopause while going through cancer is a double whammy for all women. The sudden jolt of menopause caused by cancer treatment is not only physically but mentally straining as well.  Can physiotherapy help alleviate these distressing menopausal effects and improve quality of life for women with cancer? Ajeeta Kulkarni, a senior physiotherapist at Tata Memorial hospital in Mumbai, tells us how. What are the causes of menopause in cancer patients? Menopause is the decline in the…

कोलकाता के 56 वर्षीय रजत सुभ्रा बिस्वास को मल्टीपल मायलोमा का निदान मिला था और उनकी बीएमटी (बोन मैरो ट्रांसप्लांट) सर्जरी भी हुई है। इस लेख में वे अपनी मल्टीपल मायलोमा की यात्रा के बारे में बात करते हैं। मुझे सितंबर 2018 में मल्टीपल मायलोमा का निदान मिला था। मैं वर्तमान में रेमिशन में हूँ। शुरुआती लक्षण क्या थे? मैं धीरे-धीरे गुर्दे के कार्य में कमी का अनुभव कर रहा था, मूत्र में प्रोटीन के रिसाव में वृद्धि के साथ-साथ मेरा क्रिएटिनिन स्तर लगातार बढ़ रहा था। इसके अलावा, मुझे अत्यधिक थकान और त्वचा…

Bowel (fecal) and bladder (urinary) incontinence is a relatively common side-effect that can occur during cancer treatment. Due to the stigma and under-recognition attached to this condition, quality of life suffers significantly in persons with cancer. Learn more about managing this condition with Prachi P. Narkhede, a MPT Cardiovascular & Respiratory Physiotherapist at Tata Memorial Hospital. What is incontinence? It is loss of control of bladder and bowel causing accidental leakage of…

One of the many unpleasant aspects of treatment for cancer patients is the adverse effect of having nerve related pain, tingling, altered sensations, etc. This is termed as neuropathy and occurs when the nerves fibers in the body get damaged, inflamed or destroyed during the cancer treatment process. Neuropathy can be managed with the help of physiotherapy and some lifestyle changes. Manali Kamat, a Physiotherapist from Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai provides detailed insight into this…

Rajat Subhra Biswas, 56 years old from Kolkata has lived with multiple myeloma and has even gone through a BMT surgery. He talks about his journey. I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in September 2018. I am currently in remission. What were the early symptoms? I was experiencing gradual loss of renal function, my creatinine level was steadily increasing alongwith increased leakage of protein in urine. Further, I was experiencing extreme fatigue and regular pigmentation on the skin especially…

Fatigue, often confused with mere weakness, is now recognized as one of the most common symptoms of cancer itself as well as a side-effect of the treatment that a patient goes through. Often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, it leads to a distress and affects daily living of the cancer patient. So how does one recognize it and what do we do about it. Sarika Mahajan, senior Physiotherapist with Tata Memorial Hospital helps us unpack this unvalued symptom for both patients and their care providers…