What is Multiple Myeloma, the rare cancer a former Phoenix mayor is now battling?

Former Phoenix mayor announces cancer battle

PHOENIX - On Oct. 3, former Phoenix mayor Phil Gordon announced that he is currently battling a rare form of cancer called Multiple Myeloma.

In a series of tweets, Gordon, who served as mayor for Arizona's largest city from 2004 to 2012, said he is being treated by two doctors who he says are the two best doctors for this particular type of cancer.

"I intend to beat this and am so far, with your help," read one of Gordon's tweets.

Here's what you should know about Multiple Myeloma,

Phil Gordon, in a photo taken in 2011. At the time, he was the Mayor of the City of Phoenix. (Photo by Mike Moore/Getty Images)

What is Multiple Myeloma?

According to the Mayo Clinic, Multiple Myeloma is a type of cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell that is called a plasma cell.

"Healthy plasma cells help you fight infections by making antibodies that recognize and attack germs," read a portion of the website. "In Multiple Myeloma, cancerous plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy blood cells."

The cancerous cells, according to the Mayo Clinic, would produce abnormal antibodies that the body can't use, and the antibodies would build up in the body, and cause problems like kidney damage.

"Cancer cells can also cause damage to the bones that increases the risk of broken bones," read a portion of the website.

How many people are diagnosed with it each year?

According to the American Cancer Society, it is estimated that about 34,470 new cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. for the year 2022, with 19,100 of those involving men.

Overall, officials with the ACS say the lifetime risk of getting Multiple Myeloma is 1 in 132 (0.76%)

What causes it?

The Mayo Clinic says it is not clear what causes Multiple Myeloma, but they did list a number of risk factors, such as:

Age, with most diagnosed cases involving people in their mid-60s
Gender, with men being more likely to develop the disease than women
Race, with Blacks being more likely to develop Multiple Myeloma than people of other races
Family history
Personal history

What are the symptoms?

Mayo Clinic officials say signs and symptoms of Multiple Myeloma can vary, and during the early courses of the disease, there may be no symptoms.

However, Mayo Clinic officials say signs and symptoms, when they do occur, can include the following:

Bone pain, especially in your spine or chest
Nausea
Constipation
Loss of appetite
Mental fogginess or confusion
Fatigue
Frequent infections
Weight loss
Weakness or numbness in your legs
Excessive thirst

What's the survival rate for Multiple Myeloma?

According to ACS, the five-year relative survival rate for Multiple Myeloma is 55%.

However, officials say a number of factors can affect a person's disease outlook, such as age, overall health, kidney function, the tumor's chromosome changes, and the levels of certain proteins and other substances in the blood.

How do doctors treat Multiple Myelomas?

According to ACS, there are a number of treatments for Multiple Myelomas.

People who have been diagnosed with the disease should speak with their cancer care doctor for more on what can be done.

Is Multiple Myeloma curable?

According to the United Kingdom's National Health Service, myelomas usually cannot be cured.

Can people die from the disease?

Many cancers come with a risk of death from the disease, and Multiple Myeloma is no different.

For example, the death of actor Charles Grodin in 2021 has been attributed to Bone Marrow Cancer. According to The National Cancer Institute, Bone Marrow Cancer includes Leukemias and Multiple Myelomas.

Are there other well-known people who were diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma?

Colin Powell

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A well-known person who is living with Multiple Myeloma is former NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw.

According to the Associated Press, Brokaw was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2013.

Former General and Secretary of State Colin Powell, who died in 2021, was also diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. Powell died from COVID-19 complications.