Geraldine ferraro multiple myeloma, Geraldine Ferraro Passed away Saturday, March 26, 2011, at the age of 75. Probably best known for her bid as the first female vice presidential candidate in 1984, Ferraro went on to serve two terms as a New York Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 1998, her passing has brought new light on an uncommon type of cancer.
Multiple myeloma is a disease named for the cancerous plasma cells (myeloma) that develop and multiply, crowding out normal blood cells in the body’s (multiple) bone marrow regions. The body’s ability to create new red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets leaves it more susceptible to infection and abnormal bleeding.
Patients with beginning stages of multiple myeloma may experience symptoms of general fatigue or malaise. As the body becomes more anemic, recurring infections, bleeding and possible weight loss are common. Eventually, bone destruction occurs, resulting in pain or even compression fractures in weight-bearing bones like the lower back. Primary care physicians may also notice high levels of calcium developing in the patient as myeloma plasma cells grow uncontrollably in the bone.
While multiple myeloma accounts for only one to two percent of all malignancies, it is the second most common malignancy of the blood and lymph system, with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma being the most common. Like many cancers, the exact cause of the disease is unknown. However we do know that there are certain risk factors increase the chance that somebody might develop multiple myeloma.
Multiple myeloma is much more common in people over the age of 65, with the median age of people being diagnosed between 66 and 70. Geraldine Ferraro fit into that spectrum; however the disease is more common in African Americans. Also, approximately 11,200 men are diagnosed with the disease each year as opposed to 8,700 women. If there is a strong family history of multiple myeloma, it may increase your chances of developing it.
“This is a disease that has made a lot of progress,” says Perry Ballard, M.D., oncologist and hematologist at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, Ga. “The average survival rate for this category of cancer is typically quoted as a few years. However, every cancer is different and every treatment is different.”
Ferraro was active in public life for many years following her 1998 diagnosis. In fact, she did not make her condition known publicly until 2001 when she successfully pressed Congress to pass legislation that allocated funds to help research and education programs for diseases like leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
“Mrs. Ferraro had what most would call a very good survival, possibly due to the efficacy of new drugs that have become available in the last five years,” says Ballard. “In addition to medications, new treatment options including effective chemotherapy and transplantation of one’s own stem cells have brought a lot of hope to people with multiple myeloma.”
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Geraldine ferraro multiple myeloma
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