Role of the specialist nurse in caring for patients with myeloma.

Myeloma is a rare, heterogeneous cancer of the bone marrow. It is characterised by a range of comorbidities and clinical complications, including bone fractures, anaemia and kidney damage. Myeloma is an individual cancer both in terms of the symptoms and complications patients can experience and in their response to treatment. This means that patients require individual management and care from specialist nurses who provide information, education, and social and psychological support, as well as direct patient care. The different combinations of treatment include complicated chemotherapy and anti-myeloma regimens. These treatments result in an accumulation of toxicities in patients, which specialist nurses play a vital role in monitoring and managing. The support and care given by specialist nurses have an effect both on the patient experience and patient outcomes.