MedicineNet

Multiple Myeloma Center - Birmingham, AL

Birmingham Oncologist Doctors for Multiple Myeloma

Type of Physician: Oncologist

What is a Oncologist?

A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; the oncologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of all types of cancer and other benign and malignant tumors. These subspecialists decide on and administer chemotherapy as well as consult with surgeons and radiotherapists on other treatment for cancer.

Specialty: Oncology (Medical)

Common Name: Cancer Doctor

Oncologist Doctors in Birmingham *

Central Alabama Oncology
Susan M Ferguson
7500 Hugh Daniel Dr
STE STE 200
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 664-4051

Walker Baptist Cancer Center
Michael M Garcia
3500 Hwy 78 E
Jasper, AL 35501
(205) 387-0333

DCH Cancer Treatment Center
Christopher G Jordan
801 University Blvd E
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 759-7800

Montgomery Cancer Center
Stephen A White
1023 Medical Center Pkwy
STE 100
Selma, AL 36701
(334) 872-9300

Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham is the largest city in the state of Alabama in the United States. It is the county seat of Jefferson County and includes part of Shelby County. Over the course of the 20th century, the city's economy diversified. Though the manufacturing industry maintains a strong presence in Birmingham, other industries such as banking, insurance, medicine, publishing, and biotechnology have risen in stature. Birmingham has been recognized as one of the top cities for income growth in the United States South with a significant increase in per capita income since 1990. Today, Birmingham ranks as one of the most important business centers in the Southeastern United States and is also one of the largest banking centers in the U.S. In addition, the Birmingham area serves as headquarters to one Fortune 500 company: Regions Financial. Five Fortune 1000 companies are headquartered in Birmingham.
(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birmingham,_Alabama)

Upcoming Local Events

2012-06-17
The Virtual Father's Day Run - Vestavia Hills
Throughout Vestavia Hills, Alabama
2012-06-17
The Virtual Father's Day Run - Bessemer
Throughout Bessemer, Alabama
2012-06-23
2012-08-25
Rock 'N' Run
Homewood, Alabama
2012-09-03
2012-09-15
Head Over Teal
Hoover, Alabama
2012-11-11
World Run Day 2012 Registration - Bessemer
Throughout Bessemer, Alabama
2012-11-11
World Run Day 2012 Registration - Homewood
Throughout Homewood, Alabama

Multiple Myeloma

What is multiple myeloma?

Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer. Cancer is a group of many related diseases. Myeloma is a cancer that starts in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell. It's the most common type of plasma cell cancer.

Normal blood cells

Most blood cells develop from cells in the bone marrow called stem cells. Bone marrow is the soft material in the center of most bones.

Stem cells mature into different types of blood cells. Each type has a special job:

  • White blood cells help fight infection. There are several types of white blood cells.
  • Red blood cells carry oxygen to tissues throughout the body.
  • Platelets help form blood clots that control bleeding.

Plasma cells are white blood cells that make antibodies. Antibodies are part of the immune system. They work with other parts of the immune system to help protect the body from germs and other harmful substances. Each type of plasma cell makes a different antibody.

Myeloma cells

Myeloma, like other cancers, begins in cells. In cancer, new cells form when the body doesn't need them, and old or damaged cells don't die when they should. These extra cells can form a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor.

Myeloma begins when a plasma cell becomes abnormal. The abnormal cell divides to make copies of itself. The new cells divide again and again, making more and more abnormal cells. These abnormal plasma cells are called myeloma cells.

In time, myeloma cells collect in the bone marrow. They may damage the solid part of the bone. When myeloma cells collect in several of your bones, the disease is called "multiple myeloma." This disease may also harm other tissues and organs, such as the kidneys.

Myeloma cells make antibodies called M proteins and other proteins. These proteins can collec...

Recommended Reading Related to Multiple Myeloma

Hematocrit »

What is the hematocrit?

The hematocrit is the proportion, by volume, of the blood that consists of red blood cells. The hematocrit (hct) is expressed as a percentage. For example, an hematocrit of 25% means that there are 25 milliliters of red blood cells in 100 milliliters of blood.

How is the hematocrit measured?

The hematocrit is typically measured from a blood sample by an automated machine that makes several other measurements at the same time. Most of these machines in fact do not directly measure the hematocrit, but instead calculate it based on the determination of the amount of hemoglobin and the average volume of the red blood cells. The hematocrit can also be determined by a manual method using a centrifuge. When a tube of blood is centrifuged, the red cells will be packed into the bottom of the tube. The proportion of red cells to the total blood volume can be visually measured.

What is a normal ...

Emergency Contact for Birmingham

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Birmingham Hospitals *

Birmingham VA Medical Center
700 S 19th St
Birmingham, AL 35233
(205)933-8101

UAB Hospital
619 S 19th St
Birmingham, AL 35294
(205)934-4011

Children's Hospital
1600 7th Ave South
Birmingham, AL 35233
(205)939-9100

Cooper Green Hospital
1515 6th Ave S
Birmingham, AL 35233
(205)930-3200

Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital
1720 University Blvd
Birmingham, AL 35233
(205)325-8100

St Vincent's Hospital
810 St Vincent Dr
Birmingham, AL 35205
(205)939-7000

UAB Highlands Hospital
1201 11th Ave S
Birmingham, AL 35205
(205)930-7000

Princeton Baptist
701 Princeton Ave SW
Birmingham, AL 35211
(205)783-3000

Trinity Medical Center
800 Montclair Rd
Birmingham, AL 35213
(205)592-1000

HEALTHSOUTH Lakeshore Rehabilitation Hospital
3800 Ridgeway Dr
Birmingham, AL 35209
(205)868-2000

Brookwood Medical Center
2010 Brookwood Medical Center Dr
Birmingham, AL 35209
(205)877-1000

Hill Crest Behavioral Health Services
6869 5th Ave S
Birmingham, AL 35212
(205)833-9000

St Vincent's East
50 Medical Park East Dr
Birmingham, AL 35235
(205)838-3000

UAB Medical West
995 9th Ave SW
Bessemer, AL 35022
(205)481-7000

Shelby Baptist Medical Center
1000 1st St N
Alabaster, AL 35007
(205)620-8100

Bradford Health Services
1189 Allbritton Rd
Warrior, AL 35180
(205)647-1945

St Vincent's St Clair
2805 Dr John Haynes Dr
Pell City, AL 35125
(205)338-3301

Walker Baptist Medical Center
3400 Hwy 78 E
Jasper, AL 35501
(205)387-4000

St Vincent's Blount
150 Gilbreath Dr
Oneonta, AL 35121
(205)274-3000

*Provider Directory Terms of Use:

The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval.

You are prohibited from using, downloading, republishing, selling, duplicating, or "scraping" for commercial or any other purpose whatsoever, the Provider Directory or any of the data listings or other information contained therein, in whole or in part, in any medium whatsoever.

The Provider Directory is provided on an "AS-IS" basis. WebMD disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose. Without limiting the foregoing, WebMD does not warrant or represent that the Provider Directory or any part thereof is accurate or complete. You assume full responsibility for the communications with any Provider you contact through the Provider Directory. WebMD shall in no event be liable to you or to anyone for any decision made or action taken by you in the reliance on information provided in the Provider Directory.

The use of WebMD Provider Directory by any entity or individual to verify the credentials of Providers is prohibited. The database of Provider information which drives WebMD Provider Directory does not contain sufficient information with which to verify Provider credentials under the standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) of the Utilization Review Accreditation Committee (URAC).

By using the WebMD Provider Directory, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.