Effects of Early Palliative Care Integration on Patients With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a common type of cancer involving the cells in the blood (commonly affecting bones, kidneys and blood). Although it remains incurable, MM has become a highly treatable form cancer thanks to new and improved treatment modalities. As patients deal with this disease, they often suffer from multiple symptoms that are caused by both the disease itself and the different drugs used to treat it. Research has shown that the most common symptoms patients suffer from include pain, constipation, tiredness, tingling in hands and feet, breathlessness, sadness and difficulty remembering things. These symptoms may negatively affect the quality of life of patients. Palliative care (PC) is a type of treatment aimed at relieving symptoms and promoting the most optimal quality of life (QOL) for patients and their caregivers. Research has shown that patients with certain types of cancers, such as colon cancer and lung cancer, do better if they are seen by a PC provider early in the course of their disease. This study seeks to determine the effects of early PC involvement on participants with newly diagnosed MM