Surgery for Multiple Myeloma: Patient Care Resources
Surgery is a common treatment for complications of multiple myeloma.
Surgery can be done to strengthen and stabilize the bones. If surgery provides a good treatment option, you will meet with a surgeon to develop a plan. Surgery is different for every patient. Your surgeon will work with you to determine the least invasive and most effective surgery for your condition. We also help you prepare for your surgery and your recovery at home.
WHAT TO KNOW TO PREPARE FOR MULTIPLE MYELOMA SURGERY
1Understanding Your Condition
2Getting Started In Your Care
3Planning Your Treatment
4Undergoing Treatment & Follow-Up
Multiple Myeloma Surgery: Patient Care Resources
Getting Ready for Surgery
Your surgery team has worked with you to develop the therapy plan that’s right for you, based on the details of your diagnosis. The goal is to identify the least invasive and most effective surgery for your unique condition.
Before
During
After
Several days before your surgery, you will meet with your anesthesiologist to discuss your options and preferences for sedation. The anesthesiologist will stand near your head to administer the anesthesia and monitor you before and during surgery. At this meeting, you and the anesthesiologist will:
- Review your medical history
- Discuss any allergies you may have
- Review the plan for anesthesia during your surgery
On the scheduled day, you will come in for your surgery.
The length of time for your surgery, hospital stay, and recovery depends on your individual case. Factors include the type of surgery you have and the details of your diagnosis.
Come in for your post-op appointment
Your post-op appointment takes place 7 to 10 days after your surgery. We will work with you before your surgery to choose a day and time for this visit. During the appointment, you meet with your surgeon and other members of your care team to:
- Review the pathology report from your surgery
- Change your dressings, if needed
- Address any concerns
Several days before your surgery, you will meet with your anesthesiologist to discuss your options and preferences for sedation. The anesthesiologist will stand near your head to administer the anesthesia and monitor you before and during surgery. At this meeting, you and the anesthesiologist will:
- Review your medical history
- Discuss any allergies you may have
- Review the plan for anesthesia during your surgery
On the scheduled day, you will come in for your surgery.
close Before
The length of time for your surgery, hospital stay, and recovery depends on your individual case. Factors include the type of surgery you have and the details of your diagnosis.
close During
Come in for your post-op appointment
Your post-op appointment takes place 7 to 10 days after your surgery. We will work with you before your surgery to choose a day and time for this visit. During the appointment, you meet with your surgeon and other members of your care team to:
- Review the pathology report from your surgery
- Change your dressings, if needed
- Address any concerns
close After
Your Doctors
Surgeon
Also known as a surgical oncologist, your cancer surgeon specializes in surgical procedures to diagnose and treat cancer. Your surgeon serves as your attending physician, the doctor who directs your care team.
Surgical oncologists perform biopsies (taking tiny samples of tissue) to test for cancer and confirm a diagnosis. They help you choose the best type of surgery for your care. Potential options include traditional (open) approaches or minimally invasive techniques to remove tumors and surrounding tissue.
Anesthesiologist
An anesthesiologist is a doctor who specializes in using medications to block pain during surgery. These medications also help you relax during the procedure or ease you into unconsciousness. After giving medication, your anesthesiologist monitors vital functions such as breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate throughout your surgery and immediate recovery.
Depending on the type of surgery you have, you may need local (small area), regional (larger area), or general (overall) anesthesia. You will meet with your anesthesiologist at your pre-operative visit to review your case in detail.
Pathologist
Working closely with your oncologist, your pathologist performs and reads laboratory tests to determine the type and stage of cancer present. These doctors have special training to detect and diagnose cancer. They use a microscope to examine tissue samples taken during a biopsy. As with radiologists, you may not meet your pathologist while he/she works with your oncologist to diagnose your cancer.
Extended Care Team
This health care provider works with your surgical oncologist to help with diagnosis and treatment. An APP can be a nurse practitioner (NP), physician’s assistant (PA), or clinical nurse specialist (CNS).
Our MCC will call you before your surgery to provide instructions about preparing for the procedure, as well as for your recovery at home. This call will cover:
- What to do in the days before surgery
- How to handle your return home, including arranging for help for the first few days
- Answers to your questions
The CAA helps with administrative issues such as scheduling your appointments, managing your paperwork, and requesting your medical records.
If you need to stay in the hospital after surgery, a registered nurse will take care of you.
This team member greets you at the front desk and registers you for your appointments.
A Surgery Scheduler will arrange your pre-surgical appointments with your surgical oncologist. This staff member also schedules your surgeries
Support Services
PATHWELL SUPPORT SERVICES
PathWell is your connection to personalized support services before, during, and after your treatment. Our teams of doctors, nurses, social workers, spiritual care providers, nutrition experts, financial counselors, and more work with your oncology team to provide comprehensive specialized care to you and to your family.
- 650-498-6000 Ask for the PathWell team
Stanford Health Library
For confidential help with your health care questions, contact the Stanford Health Library. Professional medical librarians and trained volunteers, access journals, books, e-books, databases, and videos to learn more about medical conditions, treatment options, and related issues.
- 875 Blake Wilbur, Palo Alto: 1st floor near the cafe, 650-736-1960
- South Bay Cancer Center: 3rd floor lobby, 408-353-0197
Email us your questions: healthlibrary@stanfordhealthcare.org
At your first appointment, you will meet the team who will take care of you throughout your treatment. During this visit, your doctor will discuss your medical history with you in detail, perform a physical examination, and discuss possible treatment options. During your first visit, we will share some important information about breast cancer and your treatment options.