A new national service to treat patients with blood cancer that affects the spine was launched today in London.
The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Trust will accept patients from across the country with myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells found in bone marrow.
The disease, which represents one per cent of all cancers, can affect bones of the spine, skull, pelvis and ribs, causing pain, fractures and kidney damage.
Medics at the hospital trust, based in Stanmore, north west London, launched the new service after developing international guidelines for myeloma affecting the spine.
Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Sean Molloy said: “Myeloma commonly affects the spine and in up to 70% of patients it causes spinal fractures.
“The myeloma service will provide a one-stop clinic for diagnostics and management. It will be a multi-disciplinary approach with spinal surgeons, haematologists, pain management consultants and therapists.”
