Re: Medical discussion of multiple myeloma options

I don't know why "everyone" should do that but in doing so for my
own edification I found this:

http://myeloma.org/ArticlePage.action?articleId=1560

.....Multiple
myeloma is a cancer of the bone marrow caused by the uncontrolled growth of
plasma cells. Manufactured in the bone marrow, plasma cells are a critical part
of the body’s immune system. In adults, the most active bone marrow is
concentrated in the pelvis, spine, and skull, as well as in the long bones of
the arms and legs. Normally, plasma cells make up less than 5 percent of the
cells in the bone marrow, but individuals with myeloma have a significantly
higher concentration of plasma cells in their bone marrow – greater than 10
percent and sometimes more than 90 percent. The danger associated with this high
number of plasma cells stems from the fact that they are malignant and can
invade and destroy the surrounding bone and displace the normal blood-producing
cells in the marrow. The increased malignant plasma cells can actually dissolve
bone, weakening areas of the skeleton and causing a severe osteoporosis-like
appearance to the bones. The displacement of normal marrow causes anemia and
reduced levels of white blood cells and platelets.

Causes

No
single factor has been consistently associated with multiple myeloma. Overall it
appears that certain occupations, as well as exposure to certain chemicals or
radiation, can sometimes cause the disease in predisposed individuals. The
diversity of possible exposures and genetic susceptibility factors make proof
difficult. Recently, researchers have proposed infection, particularly viral
infection, as a causal or trigger factor. Several studies have linked multiple
myeloma to HIV, hepatitis, herpes virus infections (especially herpes virus 8),
Epstein Barr Virus (EBV), as well as new “stealth adapted” viruses such as
mutated cytomegalovirus (CMV). The significance of these viruses with regard to
multiple myeloma remains to be fully explored.

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I have none of the "linked" diseases and they are only a
"trigger factor."  MM is not a virus.  I learned nothing
new.

The International Myeloma Foundation is on the forefront of MM study. 

Here is more information on MM statistics for the same site:

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Multiple
Myeloma Quick Statistics

How
many people suffer from multiple myeloma?

• GLOBAL
  - Daily: 1,000 new cases of multiple myeloma are diagnosed every day.
  
• UNITED
  STATES - Yearly: 15,000 estimated new cases in 2004: 7,000 women
  and 8,000 men.
  
• UNITED
  STATES - 75,000 – 100,000 multiple myeloma patients in the U.S. at any
  one time.

Who
gets multiple myeloma?

• Multiple
  myeloma is rare in children, teenagers and young adults.
  
• In
  adults, the likelihood of multiple myeloma increases with age. Peak
  incidences are in the 50s, 60s and 70s.
  
• Multiple
  myeloma is most common among people over 65 years old, with an incidence
  rate of 28.6 per 100,000 people vs. 1.8 per 100,000 people under 65.
  
• The
  prevalence within younger age groups is increasing, and at least 10 to 15
  percent of patients are now under 45 years old.
  
• Multiple
  myeloma is more common in men.
  
• Multiple
  myeloma is more common in individuals of African descent.
  
• Incidence
  by race:
  
  
  
  • ~1/100,000
    population/year: Asian
    
  • ~4/100,000
    population/year: Caucasian
    
  • ~8-10/100,000
    population/year: African descent
  
  
  
  

What
is the survival rate?

• Multiple
  myeloma is considered to be one of the fastest-growing types of cancer in
  the Western world.
  
• Individuals
  with multiple myeloma have a high mortality rate because there is no known
  cure for the disease.
  
• The
  median survival rate for patients is approximately three to five years
  following a diagnosis of symptomatic multiple myeloma. However, some
  patients live 10 to 20 years following their diagnosis, making outcomes
  unpredictable.