Multiple Myeloma Center - Pittsfield, MA
Pittsfield Oncologist Doctors for Multiple MyelomaType 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 Pittsfield * Northampton Internal Medicine  Robert Byrne MD  Drs Murray & Glynn MD PC Pittsfield, MassachusettsUpcoming Local Events2012-06-03
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Multiple MyelomaRead the Multiple Myeloma article » 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 Stem cells mature into different types of blood cells. Each type has a special job:
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 MyelomaWhat 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 ...Other Related Multiple Myeloma ArticlesEmergency Contact for Pittsfield
Nearby Pittsfield Hospitals *Berkshire Medical Center BMC Hillcrest Campus Austen Riggs Center  Fairview Hospital  North Adams Regional Hospital  Samaritan Hospital  Southwestern Vermont Medical Center  Albany Memorial Hospital  St Mary's Hospital Troy  Northampton VA Medical Center  Stratton VA Medical Center at Albany  Albany Medical Center  Albany Medical Center South Clinical Campus  Capital District Psychiatric Center  Columbia Memorial Hospital  St Peter's Hospital  Cooley Dickinson Hospital  Noble Hospital Featured Articles*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. |
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