Treating relapsed myeloma
What is relapsed myeloma?
Treatment for myeloma is usually very effective and most people have a good response to treatment. There may be long periods of time when you do not need any treatment and have no symptoms caused by myeloma.
After a time, myeloma usually comes back and needs further treatment. This is called relapsed myeloma. For some people, this may be many years later.
Treatment options if myeloma comes back
Your doctor and nurse will talk to you about the different treatment options. Sometimes, it may be possible to repeat the first treatment you had. This depends on what the treatment was and how long ago you had treatment. Or you may be offered a different treatment or clinical trial. You will also have treatments to control bone problems and other symptoms.
You may have one of the following targeted therapy drugs:
Or you may have a second high-dose treatment and stem cell transplant.
If you have a further relapse, other targeted therapies may be used. They are often given with steroids, and include:
- lenalidomide
- ixazomib and panobinostat (with bortezomib)
- pomalidomide
- daratumumab
- isatuximab.
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