Side effectsProblems that occur due to drugs used for disease treatment. Common side effects of cancer treatment are fatigue, nausea, vomiting, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss, and mouth sores. InfoSheet series

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle to better manage side effects

Side effects caused by novel therapies used to treat multiple myeloma or resulting from myeloma itself may cause complications and result in the inability to carry out the activities of daily living while you are going through treatments.

Learn to recognize the symptoms and causes of each side effect, and find ways to manage them to enhance your quality of life and allow you to receive the best treatment for your multiple myeloma.

Nausea and vomiting

Diarrhea and constipation

AnemiaDecreased blood hemoglobin level. Hemoglobin is found in red blood cells and carries oxygen around the body.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw and mouth issues

ThrombocytopeniaA low number of platelets in the blood. The normal level is 150,000-250,000. If the platelet count is less than 50,000, bleeding problems could occur. Major bleeding is usually associated with a reduction to less than 10,000.

Peripheral neuropathy

InjectionPushing a medication into the body with the use of a syringe and needle. site reactions

CytokineA substance secreted by cells of the immune system that stimulates growth/activity in a particular type of cell. Cytokines are produced locally (i.e. in the bone marrow) and circulate in the bloodstream. release syndrome (CRS)

Neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS)

Infections and neutropeniaA reduced level of neutrophils. Cytotoxic chemotherapy has a tendency to induce neutropenia. In contrast, lymphocytes which are more important in viral infections, tend not to be affected by cytotoxic treatment. Neutropenia can be prevented or reduced using a synthetic hormone called G-CSF (e.g., Neupogen).