Diagnosis is difficult
Multiple myeloma is a malignant blood disease, commonly found in people over 65 years old. The disease is characterized by the accumulation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow and some other organs, causing bone destruction, forming many bone resorption foci leading to pathological fractures, dysfunction of many organs: kidney failure, anemia, immunodeficiency...
As one of the final hospitals for the treatment of multiple myeloma, the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion currently treats nearly 1,000 patients with multiple myeloma. Each year, about 150 new cases are detected and about 700 - 800 patients are monitored as outpatients.
Dr. Vu Duc Binh, Deputy Director of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, said that many people still do not know about this disease, and diagnosis is also difficult.
Dr. Vu Duc Binh (right)
The manifestations of the disease are quite diverse with the most common symptoms being bone pain, anemia, kidney failure, fatigue and recurrent infections.
"However, some patients do not present with symptoms until they accidentally discover a soft tissue mass, fracture, or are being treated for other conditions.
At the hospital, there are patients with kidney failure, bone pain, joint pain that cannot be cured, who come to the Institute for examination and are found to have multiple myeloma. There are even patients who have undergone surgery to treat bones and tumors and then later are found to have multiple myeloma.
Because the disease appears at different levels and has different symptoms, diagnosis is still difficult. Of which, about 10% of the disease is mild, requiring examination by hematology experts, and only hospitals with technical facilities can diagnose," Dr. Binh informed.
Dr. Do Huyen Nga, Head of the Hematology Department, K Hospital, said that according to world statistics, the disease is common in the elderly (60 years and older) and rare in people under 30 years old.
"However, in reality in Vietnam we still accept patients under 30 years old. Therefore, early detection and treatment of the disease is very necessary so that patients can maintain stable health, prolong life and quality of life," Dr. Nga informed.
The Long War
Dr. Hoang Thi Thuy Ha, Deputy Head of the Hematology Department at Cho Ray Hospital, shared that there is currently no cure for multiple myeloma. The fight against multiple myeloma is a long-term battle, and the patient's entire life will be tied to treatment.
In the initial phase of maintenance treatment, patients must go to the hospital twice a week for injections. Currently, many patients with multiple myeloma being treated at Cho Ray Hospital have to rent accommodation near the hospital to receive treatment.
Dr. Hoang Thi Thuy Ha
"The difficulty for patients is the cost of treatment, travel, relatives having to take care of and pick them up. Especially paying for the drugs used for maintenance treatment. Luckily, there is a drug that is 100% covered by insurance, and another that is 50% covered by insurance."
The lowest cost for maintenance treatment is 4-5 million VND/month. Using oral medication will improve the condition. Patients can be treated as outpatients, get medication monthly and have regular check-ups to help patients reduce costs," Dr. Ha shared.
Dr. Nga also said that the treatment of multiple myeloma in Vietnam compared to other Southeast Asian countries has many advantages because insurance covers some drugs.
"However, with the current injection treatment regimen, we need to find ways to extend the time patients have to go to the hospital.
In fact, in the first year of intensive treatment, the rate of patients dropping out of treatment is about 15% - 20% because patients cannot go to the hospital to get injections according to the schedule. Dropping out of treatment reduces the effectiveness of treatment, the disease progresses, and when the patient returns, the treatment must be started again from the beginning," said Dr. Nga.
Helping patients live with the disease
There are many treatment options available, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, stem cell transplantation, radiation therapy, and supportive care to treat symptoms and complications.
According to Dr. Binh, the methods being applied can help patients achieve effective disease remission and return to a "new normal" state. Patients can return to normal activities in the community.
"With the specificity of treating chronic diseases, researchers around the world are always finding new approaches. These drugs can be in the form of oral, intravenous or subcutaneous injection, each method of use has different advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the patient's condition and the flexibility of medical staff, a suitable treatment regimen will be developed for each individual.
In particular, oral medications bring advantages to patients because they can be treated as outpatients. However, oral medications are not indicated for patients with diseases such as stomach, reflux... in which case injections must be used," Dr. Binh shared.
"The advantage of oral medications is that patients will adhere to the treatment regimen better, and the rate of treatment dropout will decrease. However, the downside is that the drugs are not currently covered by insurance, so it will be more difficult for patients to access them," said Dr. Nga.
Dr. Ha also believes that treating the disease with oral medication is better for both patients and the health system. "We have just experienced the COVID-19 epidemic, it is very difficult for patients to go to the hospital. There are even patients who have stopped treatment since COVID-19 and only now returned. Or when patients go to the hospital, it will also put a burden on the health system. Therefore, if patients can take maintenance medication at home, it will be more convenient for patients," Dr. Ha said.
Doctors also believe that adding oral multiple myeloma treatment drugs to the list of health insurance payments will help patients access treatment more easily, reduce treatment dropout rates and treatment costs for patients.
Content is sponsored by the Vietnam Association of Hematology and Blood Transfusion.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/da-u-tuy-xuong-chat-luong-song-nguoi-benh-duoc-nang-cao-nho-tien-bo-dieu-tri-20240625201504952.htm
Comment (0)