Patient Care Center

AL (Primary)

Pulmonologist (Respiratory System/Lungs)

A pulmonologist is a physician who specializes in the respiratory system. From the windpipe to the lungs, if your complaint involves the lungs or any part of the respiratory system, a pulmonologist is the doc you want to solve the problem.nPulmonology is a medical field of study within internal medicine. [source: American Lung Association]

Standard Treatment: A medical Cocktail

What you can expect. If you have been diagnosed with AL amyloidosis the standard chemotherapy treatment in the United States consists of a 4 drug combination of subcutaneous daratumumab, bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone.

Bortezomib (VELCADE®)

VELCADE (bortezomib) is a type of chemotherapy called a targeted therapy. VELCADE belongs to a class of medicines called proteasome inhibitors. It is approved by the FDA for the treatment of multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma. VELCADE has been studied in many important clinical trials. It has been studied in a wide range of …

Bortezomib (VELCADE®) Read More »

Frothy/Bubbly Urine (Kidney Damage)

Foamy urine is a sign of protein in the urine, which is not normal. “Kidneys filter the protein, but should keep it in the body,” explains Dr. Ghossein. If kidneys are releasing protein into the urine, they are not working properly.

Fluid Swelling (Peripheral Edema) hands, legs or feet

If the amyloidosis affects the kidneys, their ability to filter the blood becomes impaired. Protein leaks from the blood into the urine. The loss of protein from the blood can cause fluid to leak out of the blood vessels, resulting in swelling in the feet, ankles and calves.

Protein in the Urine (Nephrotic Syndrome)

Nephrotic syndrome is usually caused by damage to the clusters of small blood vessels in your kidneys that filter waste and excess water from your blood. The condition causes swelling, particularly in your feet and ankles, and increases the risk of other health problems.

Enlarged Liver – Primary Hepatic Amyloidosis (PHA)

Primary hepatic amyloidosis (PHA) is characterized by abnormal deposition of monoclonal immunoglobulin light chains (AL) in the liver. This rare condition is frequently undiagnosed or misdiagnosed and can be associated with poor prognosis. At present, the precise pathogenesis is not fully understood.

Infrequent Urination (Kidney damage)

Most commonly, amyloid deposits build up in the heart and kidneys. Roughly 70% of patients have involvement with either of these organs, notes Dr. Weiss.

Psychologist (Emotional Wellbeing)

A psychologist is a mental health professional who uses psychological evaluations and talk therapy to help people learn to better cope with life and relationship issues and mental health conditions. [source: Cleveland Clinic]

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