Relapsing myeloma

Although myeloma is treatable, it is not curable. It is a relapsing and remitting cancer and, unfortunately, relapse is inevitable in almost all patients.

It can be a very disappointing and distressing time for patients, their families and carers when relapse occurs. Talking things over with your doctor or nurse, family / carer or another patient may help. 

It is important to remember that there are effective treatments available for relapsing myeloma. This is true regardless of whether it is your first relapse or if you have experienced one or more relapses previously.

If your myeloma returns, you and your doctor will need to consider what treatment will be required to regain control of your myeloma. Your doctor may have already considered and discussed with you potential treatment options for when your myeloma relapses as part of the discussions about your previous treatment.

As relapse can be a fairly stressful and often confusing time, you may find that you have many questions. Some of the questions often asked by patients facing a relapse are detailed in this section.

 How will I know I have relapsed?