Giovanni Allevi returns to the stage after battling multiple myeloma
Renowned musician Giovanni Allevi made a triumphant return to the Sanremo stage after undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma, a rare and insidious form of cancer. Allevi used his platform to raise awareness and serve as a spokesperson for those living with the disease.
Multiple myeloma is a tumor that affects bone marrow cells, causing damage to various organs and tissues. Initially, the symptoms may be non-specific, such as tiredness and bone pain. Allevi spoke about his excruciating back pain that prevented him from getting up from his stool after a show, shedding light on the challenges faced by those battling the disease.
According to data from the Airc, there are over 2,700 new cases of myeloma diagnosed each year among women and around 3,000 among men in Italy. The disease primarily affects older individuals, with 38 percent of diagnoses occurring in people over the age of 70.
The treatment for multiple myeloma is personalized, with options including stem cell transplants and combination therapies. In recent years, there has been significant progress in the treatment of the disease, with new therapies leading to improved survival rates for patients.
Hematologist Claudio Cerchione emphasized the importance of ongoing research and the need for a national registry of the disease, as the numbers are likely underestimated. He highlighted the strides made in the past decade, moving from chemotherapy to immunotherapy, making the once lethal disease controllable with chemotherapy-free treatments.
Cerchione also expressed optimism about the future, noting the arrival of innovative drugs and ongoing studies exploring new treatment options. He expressed hope that, with continuous progress in research, multiple myeloma may one day be eradicated.
The return of Giovanni Allevi to the stage and his advocacy for those living with multiple myeloma has brought attention to the disease and the ongoing efforts to find effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure.
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