The prognosis for multiple myeloma can vary according to different factors. At worst, the doctor can deem the disease irreparable and can only give a dim prognosis for survival. If the cancer is caught at an earlier stage, then there is a higher chance of a good prognosis.
Generally, if patients have the early stages of the cancer, chances are that the prognosis for multiple myeloma would involve a possible recovery. This can mean that the cancer cells have not yet spread, or that any plasmacytomas — tumor-like groups of plasma cells — can be easily removed. Chemotherapy and radiation are common choices for treatment, but experimental treatments can also be offered. The prognosis for the earliest stage may be positive, but patients are still given a life expectancy of 62 months on average.
If the disease is caught in its second stage, the prognosis may still be positive, but the number of cancer cells is rising. The life expectancy will decrease to 45 months, and similar treatments can also be performed. The prognosis for multiple myeloma at its third and final stage can be very discouraging, as the cancer cells have not only added in number, but have also spread to the different organs. In this final stage, many complications can occur, such as the decrease of red blood cells, increase in calcium in the blood, and fatal progression of plasmacytomas in the bones. Aggressive and more experimental treatment may still be done, but the patient may only be given two years or less to live.
Without any treatment, a patient can have a shorter life expectancy of six months. The prognosis for multiple myeloma can also vary if the cancer is active or inactive. An active diagnosis, usually in the first two stages, means that the patient experiences telltale symptoms and should receive treatment as soon as possible. A patient with inactive multiple myeloma does not exhibit any warning signs, and the cancer has a slower growth. In this case, a patient can live up to 10 years, with certain treatments to keep the cancer at bay.
Other factors that influence the prognosis for multiple myeloma include the patient’s health, age, and initial response to the treatment. Presence of specific antibodies may also increase the chances of recover. Any damage, on the other hand, to vital organs such as the kidney and liver may result in a negative prognosis. If the cancer is recurring, the life expectancy also decreases.