Multiple Myeloma Treatment: Options, Drugs, and What Works Best

When multiple myeloma, a type of cancer that starts in plasma cells in the bone marrow. Also known as plasma cell myeloma, it's not a single disease—it's a group of conditions where abnormal cells multiply and damage bones, kidneys, and the immune system. Treatment has changed a lot in the last 15 years. What used to be a quick decline is now often a manageable long-term condition, thanks to smarter drugs and better support.

Most treatment plans start with a combo of three key drug types: proteasome inhibitors, drugs that block cancer cells from cleaning out damaged proteins, causing them to die, like bortezomib and carfilzomib; immunomodulatory drugs, medications that help the immune system find and attack cancer cells, such as lenalidomide and pomalidomide; and steroids, like dexamethasone, used to reduce inflammation and kill myeloma cells directly. These aren’t used alone—they’re stacked together for stronger results. For younger, healthier patients, a stem cell transplant, a procedure where high-dose chemo wipes out bone marrow, then healthy stem cells are reinfused to rebuild it is often part of the plan. It’s not a cure, but it can push the disease into long-term remission.

What you see in the posts below isn’t just a list of drugs. It’s a real-world look at how these treatments connect to daily life. You’ll find comparisons between chemo options like Cytoxan and newer agents, tips on managing side effects from steroids and immunomodulators, and even how some patients use diet and lifestyle to support treatment. There’s no one-size-fits-all path—what works for one person might not fit another. But with the right info, you can ask better questions, understand your options, and take control of what comes next.