Treatment

The main treatments for myeloma are chemotherapy, steroids and targeted cancer drugs. You usually have a combination of treatments. Find out about these and how your doctor decides which treatment you need.

The first treatment for myeloma is likely to be a combination of chemotherapy, targeted cancer drugs and steroids.

When it comes back it is called a relapse and you need to have more treatment. During the course of the disease you might have several relapses.

Steroids are used in different ways during cancer treatment. Find out about how you might have them, possible side effects and other important information.

High dose chemotherapy destroys cancer cells, but also damages the stem cells that make blood cells in the bone marrow. To replace the stem cells that have been destroyed you have a stem cell transplant. 

Myeloma can affect you in different ways. There are treatments that can help to control or reduce the symptoms of myeloma.

You usually have follow up appointments every few months to check how you are and see whether you have any problems or worries. The appointments also give you the chance to raise any concerns.