Life Quality Drops Drastically, Beware Of Multiple Myelomas Early

JAKARTA - The quality of life for blood cancer patients or Multiple Myeloma often decreases drastically because most of them come to doctors in severe conditions, even with serious organ damage.

This disease not only attacks the body physically, but also has emotional, social, and financial impacts for patients and their families.

In media education entitled "Sadari, Understand & Make Peace with Multiple Myeloma" in Jakarta, Wednesday, September 10, 2025, Consultant for Hematology-Oncology Medical RSCM Prof. DR. dr. Ikhwan Rinaldi explained, not a few patients lost their valuable time because their symptoms were not recognized from the start.

"Patients who are diagnosed late often come with complaints of bone damage, fractures, anemia, to kidney complications," he said.

Globally, Multiple Myeloma is among the second most types of blood cancer with more than 176,000 new cases every year. When referring to Globocan data, Indonesia recorded more than 3,000 new cases of Multiple Myeloma every year.

Although official data is still limited, the 2020 Journal of Infectious Diseases shows an increase in new patient visits at RSCM and Dharmais Cancer Hospitals, from 10 cases in 2005 to more than 20 cases in 2015.

This disease generally attacks plasma cells in the bone cord and can hit the spine, skull, pelvis, ribs, to the vicinity of the shoulders and hips. No wonder sufferers often experience a decrease in quality of life because activities are hampered due to this disease.

"Myeloma Multiple Patients can experience a decline in quality of life due to a combination of symptoms such as bone pain, anemia, repeated infections, damage to vital organs, as well as severe psychological and financial burdens," he said.

The trend of increasing Myeloma Multiple cases shows the urgency of early detection, broad education to the public, and continuous access to treatment so that patients can stay alive quality despite this chronic blood cancer.

Director of Infectious Diseases of the Indonesian Ministry of Health, dr. Siti Nadia Tarmizi, emphasized that the sooner this disease is detected, the higher the chance patients will survive.

He said the government had implemented six cancer control strategies, ranging from health promotions, early screening, improving diagnostic services, to strengthening registries and cancer research.

In Indonesia alone, Multiple Myeloma patients now have more therapeutic options, both oral and infusion. Therapy includes chemotherapy, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, to innovative target therapies such as proteasome inhibitors.

"The more therapeutic options, the greater the patient hopes to maintain the quality of life," said dr. Siti Nadia Tarmizi.

Even so, he emphasized that the success of treatment still depends on a rapid diagnosis and consistency of therapy.

On the same occasion, Takeda General Manager, Andreas Gukknecht, added that in addition to treatment, sustainable public education is also crucial so that people understand this disease better.

"We hope that Multiple Myeloma patients in Indonesia have wider access to innovative therapy as well as support that helps them maintain their quality of life," he said.

The same thing was conveyed by the Chairman of the Multiple Patient Organization Myeloma Indonesia (MMI), dr. Abraham Michael. According to him, patients need support from the community because this disease not only attacks the body, but also affects psychological and social welfare.

"Many new patients are diagnosed when their condition is severe. Lack of information in society is an obstacle. This disease cannot be prevented, but with education, community support, as well as collaboration between medical personnel and the government, the treatment can be better," he explained.