"My grandmother died of multiple myeloma and now my dad has been diagnosed with this disease. Is myeloma hereditary?
There is only a weak family tendency to develop myeloma. Approximately 3-5% of patients with myeloma give a history of myeloma or a related condition within the extended family. Thus far, no specific gene has been linked to this myeloma tendency. When family members get their annual check-ups, make sure that the physicians know about your family medical history. If standard laboratory blood work indicates an increase in protein, the doctor will have a note in the medical chart so that any protein increase is properly evaluated."
Taken from the International Myeloma Foundation website
Yes, most definitely it is hereditary, even though the doctors didn't have an answer. My Dad died from Myelodysplastic anemia which became Leukemia. His Dad died from Leukemia. My Dad's brother also died from the same thing the same year as my Dad. This was 1992 and it's still a killer. Since he was over 50 years old, they said he wasn't eligible for bone marrow transplant. The blood transfusions did not help. Like going into an empty hole. Just a tragedy. Perhaps stem cell treatment could've helped if it was available then. We just weren't lucky.
It does not appear to be curable, however if a person having myelofibrosis takes extra care not to burn themselves out, no smoke, drink excessive alcohol (or any at all with the exception of a bit of red wine daily), watch your diet and avoid unhealthy food it may be kept at bay briefly.
Getting lots of rest is good and stay away from people with colds or other catchy diseases. Avoid second hand smoke if possible.
There is a medicine that was just approved in November 2011 called Ruxolitinib but I have not done any research on it yet.
i am wanting to know what are my chances or my childrens chances of having what my father died of.myelofibrosis
Myelofibrosis typically becomes progressively worse and can cause death
Idiopathic myelofibrosis typically becomes progressively worse and can cause death
Myelofibrosis can progress to acute lymphocytic leukemia or lymphoma
Myelofibrosis goes by many names including idiopathic myelofibrosis, agnogenic myeloid metaplasia, chronic myelosclerosis, aleukemic megakaryocytic myelosis, and leukoerythroblastosis
About one quarter of all patients with myelofibrosis have no symptoms (asymptomatic)
Myelofibrosis is caused by an abnormality in a single stem cell, which causes it to grow out of control
Because symptoms are similar to other diseases (mostly leukemias), myelofibrosis is not easy to diagnose
Although historically there has not been much improvement in the treatment of myelofibrosis, that has changed recently. The main treatment now consists of taking a medication known as "Jakafi" which targets the gene thought to cause myelofibrosis.
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