It is well appreciated that persons with multiple myeloma have an increased risk of venous thrombosis. More recently, this relative risk has been shown to be increased further in these patients while on therapy with thalidomide and its derivatives. The mechanism of this increased risk for thrombosis has traditionally been attributed to traditional neoplasia risks for thrombosis, such as decreased mobility, surgical procedures, use of chemotherapy, and/or indwelling catheters.

Rather than the standard prognosis to smm and mgus to watch and wait, Margaret's Corner talks of curcumin supplementation and possibly other complementary therapies.

ABSTRACT

Background Smoldering (asymptomatic) multiple myeloma is an asymptomatic plasma-cell proliferative disorder associated with a high risk of progression to symptomatic multiple myeloma or amyloidosis. Prognostic factors for the progression and outcome of this disease are unclear.

 
When survivors and caregivers talk about possible causes of myeloma they often refer to either stress or environmental factors but I have never read anything about genetic factors and myeloma.  David

"NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jul 09 - Researchers have identified a
"myeloma-prone family" with five cases of multiple myeloma, five cases
of prostate cancer, three cases of monoclonal gammopathy of
undetermined significance (MGUS), and one case of pancreatic cancer in
two generations."

When I was first diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 1994, I wish that I had read the article below before I doing anything else. The article below, "You've Just Been Diagnosed..." is written by the multiple myeloma survivor who edits the mma listserv, Chris Hollyer, a knowledgeable, warm and genuinely helpful person who has experienced a great deal and who is a tremendous resource.