The Rush Approach to Multiple Myeloma Treatment
While multiple myeloma is not a curable disease, it's very treatable. And in the past decade, treatments have evolved and improved, allowing you to enjoy longer periods in remission.
But we understand that being diagnosed with multiple myeloma can be overwhelming. Our experienced team will work with you to provide the most advanced care available for this rare blood cancer, along with supportive services that can help you preserve and maintain your quality of life. Our nurse coordinator will help coordinate your care every step of the way.
We'll tailor your treatments to your unique symptoms and needs. Your treatment plan may include leading-edge treatments for multiple myeloma, including novel therapies, radiation therapy and immunotherapies. You’ll also have access to clinical trials that are looking at novel approaches, such as CAR-T cell therapy, for treating multiple myeloma.
Rush Excellence in Multiple Myeloma Treatment
- A highly experienced team: Although multiple myeloma makes up just 1% of all cancers, our doctors and nurses treat large volumes of patients with this rare blood cancer. This level of expertise helps us determine the best treatments for you and how to successfully manage complications and side effects.
- Effective pain management: Pain is one of the most common symptoms associated with multiple myeloma. Your team will work with you to address your pain with the full spectrum of treatment options, including medication management, surgical interventions, radiation therapy options, physical therapy and supportive oncology care (e.g., acupuncture, massage).
- Excellent outcomes in stem cell transplant: You may need a bone marrow or stem cell transplant as part of your multiple myeloma treatment. Rush's bone marrow transplant program has excellent outcomes, with a 100% survival rate for the first 180 days after transplant.
- CAR-T therapy: Through clinical trials at Rush, you may have access to CAR-T therapy as part of your multiple myeloma treatment plan. This novel treatment uses your own immune systems to treat the cancer and has had high success rates.
- MGUS clinic: Multiple myeloma is always preceded by monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), a rare blood condition. If you are at risk of developing multiple myeloma, you may be seen in our MGUS clinic at Rush University Medical Center. Through this clinic, our team will monitor you closely, allowing you to start treatment immediately if or when you develop multiple myeloma.
- Support group: Rush has a multiple myeloma support group for patients and their families that is moderated by a social worker The group meets quarterly on the third Friday of January, March, June and September at Rush University Medical Center. For more information about the support group, please contact us at (312) 563-2265.
- Access to nationally ranked specialists: Sometimes multiple myeloma can cause orthopedic and neurological symptoms, such as bone and joint pain and muscle weakness. Our multiple myeloma team works closely with orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons to help you get the care you need to relieve these symptoms. And, U.S. News & World Report ranked Rush University Medical Center among the best in the nation for orthopedics and neurology and neurosurgery.