Multiple Myeloma

As a patient here, you have access to some of the world's leading myeloma experts and to a healthcare team that provides the highest standard of care, the newest clinical trials available and the most up-to-date approaches in managing myeloma.

We offer you a comprehensive treatment plan customized for your disease by giving you access to genetic testing, molecular sequencing and expert assessment. With a multidisciplinary team that includes physicians, physician assistants, pathologists, radiologists, advanced practice nurses, oncology nurses and social workers, our aim is to be a resource at every stage of treatment in order to provide you with guidance on how to have the best long term survival with good quality of life.

Our specialists also see patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), smoldering myeloma or high risk myeloma which are precancerous conditions and can become multiple myeloma.

Request an Appointment

If you have been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, we are ready to help you. Call us at (404) 778-0519 to request an appointment. Winship experts are available to provide a second opinion.

We understand that this is a very stressful time. We welcome your questions and requests for help. Here is more information to help familiarize you with Winship and give you an idea of what to expect on your first visit.

Refer a Patient

Referring physicians, you or your staff may refer a patient by contacting us at (404) 778-0519 or via email. For information about our clinical trials, call (404) 778-1868 to speak with one of our research coordinators.

The myeloma cells build up in the bone marrow, forming tumors in many bones of the body and preventing the bone marrow from creating healthy blood cells that your body needs to function properly.

The diagnosis of multiple myeloma is often initiated during routine blood tests for other conditions and is difficult to confirm on the basis of any single laboratory test result. Accurate diagnosis generally results from consideration of a variety of factors, including physical evaluation, patient history, symptoms, and lab results.

A number of laboratory tests and medical procedures are used to help confirm a diagnosis of myeloma, including bone marrow biopsy and imaging tests such as x-ray, CT scan or PET scan. Your doctor will determine the appropriate tests for you.

Abnormalities in the plasma cells can cause other disorders that can affect various organs in the body. These plasma cell disorders include AL amyloidosis, POEMS syndrome or monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) among others. If you have been diagnosed with any of these conditions, visit our plasma cell disorders page to learn about your treatment options.

Our doctors and researchers are studying the genetic components of multiple myeloma and using that knowledge to come up with better, more targeted drugs and individualized therapies.

The goal of controlling multiple myeloma as a chronic disease, or even curing it, is within reach.

Your treatment options will be tailored to your diagnosis based on the stage of your multiple myeloma and other factors such as lifestyle, age, and general health.

Chemotherapy: Multiple myeloma is sensitive to different combinations of chemotherapy, which may involve one or a combination of anticancer drugs that destroy cancer cells.

Targeted drugs and combination therapies: Recently, the U.S. FDA approved a number of new drugs that use the patient's immune system to fight multiple myeloma. Winship has pioneered the use of these drugs in combination with front-line therapies.

Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation: This treatment consists of destroying myeloma cells by using higher doses of a chemotherapy medication called melphalan and then replacing them with healthy stem cells.

CAR T-cell Therapy: During treatment, a patient's white blood cells are removed from the body and genetically changed to recognize and kill cancerous cells. The re-engineered cells are then infused back into the patient. The U.S. FDA approved CAR T-cell therapy for use in some patients with multiple myeloma, thanks in part to clinical trials that took place at Winship Cancer Institute.

Winship's Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Center has pioneered many advances in stem cell transplant and cellular therapy procedures and drugs.

Clinical Trials

Consider talking with your doctor about participating in a clinical trial at Winship. Our award-winning team has been recognized for our demonstrated leadership in, and exceptional contributions to, the development of recently FDA-approved drugs to treat multiple myeloma. Through these trials, you may have access to treatments that are not widely available.

For myeloma patients, Sparkcures.com provides information on clinical trials tailored to you. We encourage you to visit their website to learn more.

Supportive Oncology Care

In addition to delivering the highest quality medical care, we recognize the importance of the psychological and emotional aspects of living with a cancer diagnosis and of dealing with treatment. Our supportive oncology team addresses these issues in a timely manner with additional support from counselors, nurse navigators, dietitians and social service professionals.