Rome, 18 June 2022 – Giovanni Allevi has cancer: he announced it himself on his social pages, explaining why he will stay away from the stage. The pianist was diagnosed with a myeloma, “a sweet-sounding neoplasm – he writes – but no less insidious”. What is it about?
Myeloma is one of the diseases of the blood: it is a tumor of the plasma cells, cells of the immune system found in the bone marrow and which produce antibodies. It is part of the category of monoclonal gammopathiesalterations of the plasma cells that cause them to begin to replicate in an uncontrolled way, producing numerous copies of the same antibody (monoclonal).
The neoplastic, or malignant, form of monoclonal gammopathies is the Multiple myeloma.
What are the symptoms?
People with multiple myeloma “often present.” bone pain e fractures“, we read on Manuale Merck (Msd), one of the most authoritative guides of medicine. This seems to be the case with Allevi, who had been complaining of severe back pain for days. MM gives typical bone lesions, caused explains AIL (Italian association of leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma), “from an imbalance between the production process of bone and the process of its destruction attributable to the plasma cells of myeloma. “For this reason the first symptom of the disease is precisely the pain due to fractures. Other symptoms include “kidney problems, weakened immune system (immunocompromised), mental weakness and confusion” (Source Msd).
How is the diagnosis made?
Through a blood and pee test, “measuring the amounts of different types of antibodies in the blood and urine.” The diagnosis must be confirmed by a bone marrow biopsy. Diagnostic imaging tests (radiographs, magnetic resonance, CT scan) can be added to the histological examination.
How is it treated?
Treatment usually combines several drugs together: “corticosteroids and one or more of the following agents are added to conventional chemotherapy: proteasome inhibitors (such as bortezomib, carfilzomib, or ixazomib), immunomodulatory drugs (such as lenalidomide, thalidomide, or pomalidomide), the inhibitor nuclear export selinexor or monoclonal antibodies (including daratumumab or elotuzumab) “.