Multiple myeloma is an uncommon cancer attacking the plasma cells, a form of white blood cells, present in bone marrow. Plasma cells make proteins called antibodies that help you battle infections. Many people know the plant turmeric as the spice that gives Indian curries its characteristic yellow coloring and strong bitter flavor. However, as of 2010, researchers are looking at the plant to help treat many different ailments, including several types of cancer. You should consult your physician before you use turmeric or any other herbal supplement medicinally.
Turmeric
Herbalists have used curcuma longa, or turmeric, medicinally for over 4,000 years. A relative of ginger, this flowering perennial grows 5 to 6 feet high in the tropical climates of India and Southern Asia. Herbalists commonly use the roots, rhizomes and bulbs when preparing capsules, tinctures or powders. Turmeric's active ingredient, curcumin, is a powerful antioxidant. It scavenges throughout the body neutralizing free radicals, which can cause cellular damage or death and tamper with DNA. Curcumin also seems to have antibacterial and antiviral properties and may be a powerful anti-inflammatory agent.
Mulitple Myeloma
Though multiple myeloma is relatively uncommon, affecting only 20,180 people in 2010, the five-year survival rate of the disease is around 35 percent, according to the American Cancer Society. Multiple myeloma attacks the immune system, preventing it from producing antibodies. The plasma cells continue to grow inside the bone marrow, forming tumors in solid bone. The proliferation of bone tumors makes it hard for bone marrow to produce red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells, leading to an increase in infections and complications due to anemia.
Multiple myeloma symptoms often include bleeding problems, fevers, increased infections, fatigue, shortness of breath, unexplained bone fractures, weakness in the limbs and pain in the bones, most commonly the back and ribs. Current treatments for multiple myeloma include radiation, bone marrow and stem cell transplants and medications such as dexamethasone, thalidomide, lenalidomide and bortezomib. As of 2011, there is no cure for multiple myeloma.
The Science
Research regarding turmeric's cancer-fighting properties is still in its infancy, with scientists testing turmeric in test tubes and in lab animals. However, early evidence suggests that curcumin, turmeric's active ingredient, may help prevent, control and kill several types of cancer including breast, skin, colon and prostate cancer, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Researchers believe that curcumin may affect tumors' blood supply, causing them to shrink or die, and it appears to kill cancer cells in a laboratory dish. As of 2011, no clinical trials have released data suggesting that turmeric may help treat multiple myeloma cancer. Always discuss the use of turmeric with your oncologist before attempting to use the herbal supplement medicinally.
Warnings
Not enough evidence exists to determine whether turmeric used medicinally can cause adverse affects. Turmeric may interact with anticoagulant medications such as aspirin and warfarin, increasing the risk of bleeding. It may also interfere with acid reducing medications such as omeprazole, increasing stomach acid and possibly exacerbating a pre-existing condition.
