Treatment Options for Plasmacytoma
Treatment Goals
Plasmacytoma is a rare type of cancer. It is an abnormal growth of a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. It can affect the bone or soft tissues in the head, neck and other parts of the body. The two types of plasmacytoma are:
- Solitary plasmacytoma of bone (SPB): SBP forms one bone, where it causes bone damage and pain.
- Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP): EMP forms in one soft tissue, most commonly in the nose and throat areas (nasal cavity, sinuses, nasopharynx, larynx).
The objective of treatment for plasmacytoma may be to:
- Achieve a cure
- Slow progression
- Control symptoms
Treatment Options
The specific treatment approach will depend on individual factors and should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
- Radiation Therapy: The recommended initial treatment for plasmacytoma is usually radiation therapy. This treatment involves using focused radiation, similar to X-rays, to target and kill the abnormal cells in the plasmacytoma. Radiation therapy may to cure the disease, slow down its progression, or control symptoms. Radiation therapy has been found to have an 80% control rate for Solitary Plasmacytoma of Bone (SPB) and Extramedullary Plasmacytoma (EMP). It is considered the treatment of choice for these conditions.
Other potential treatments for Plasmacytoma include:
- Surgery: In some cases, a doctor may recommend surgery to remove a portion or the whole tumor. This can serve two purposes: diagnosing the specific type of cancer and treating the cancer itself. Surgery can also be beneficial in treating pathological fractures, lesions at risk of fracture, spinal instability and neurological complications. Surgery combined with other treatments like radiation therapy can help people live longer and increase their progression-free survival.
- Chemotherapy: While not typically used as the initial treatment, chemotherapy may be used as an additional form of therapy alongside other methods. It can be administered orally or intravenously and works by targeting and killing cancer cells throughout the body. Chemotherapy may be considered in specific cases where persistent disease is present.
- Autologous stem cell transplant: People with multiple or high-risk lesions may benefit from stem cell transplants. This procedure involves collecting and storing the person's own healthy stem cells before undergoing high-dose chemotherapy. After chemotherapy, the stored stem cells are reintroduced into the body to help rebuild healthy blood cells. The goal of this treatment is to control or eradicate the disease.
It's important to note that these potential treatments should be discussed with a healthcare professional. They will consider factors such as the person's overall health and the progression of the condition when determining the most appropriate treatment plan.