What are the treatments for primary amyloidosis?
Medical professionals treat primary amyloidosis as they would cancer. Once a diagnosis has been made, the patient receives chemotherapy to eradicate the aberrant plasma cells. Stem cell transplants may be an option for some patients at the discretion of their doctors.HistoryFor the estimated 3000 annual diagnoses of amyloidosis in the United States, few medical centers have the expertise to treat them. The Mayo Clinic treats up to 1,000 primary amyloidosis patients each year and uses state-of-the-art protocols to enhance their quality of life.FunctionWhile no cure for primary amyloidosis yet exists, the treatment protocol attempts to reduce or prevent the further production of damaging proteins by the plasma cells. The proteins attach themselves to areas of the body, such as the heart and kidneys, and inhibit proper functioning.TypesTreatment types for primary amyloidosis include autologous or donor stem cell transplants, chemotherapy and steroids. Some doctors treat patients with melp
