“Smouldering Multiple Myeloma was first mentioned at my December 2015 appointment at Wellington Blood Cancer Centre, after further blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy” says John. Myeloma, also known as Multiple Myeloma or Plasma Cell Myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells (mature B-lymphocytes) that usually arises in the bone marrow; it can cause tumours, which may occur in the bone marrow and/or on the surface of bones throughout the body. Under normal conditions, plasma cells produce antibodies that help protect the body from infection and disease. As myeloma cells multiply, they crowd the bone marrow and prevent it from making normal numbers of red cells, white cells and platelets. Myeloma cells can also interfere with the production of normal antibodies making the person more susceptible to disease and infection.
At his appointment, John’s specialist stated “His serum free light chain ratio is just greater than 100, which does categorise him at an increased risk of progression. At this stage he has a diagnosis of smouldering Myeloma, but I will arrange an MRI scan of his spine and pelvis to exclude lytic lesions which would be an indication of treatment”.
“After my diagnosis and being told to do nothing by my Cancer Specialist” says John. “I thought that I should look at what would be sensible to do. I had already cut back food volume and alcohol intake with some success”. John started taking supplements thought to be beneficial to cancer patients, he started weekly Pilates classes and took a 30-minute walk before breakfast 3-4 times a week.
While visiting his osteopath for a sore shoulder in April 2016 John found out about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). “I then read about the decades of research summarising the benefits of HBOT. This led me to think that it was worth trying” says John.
With HBOT, oxygen is dissolved into all the body's fluids, the plasma, the central nervous system fluids, the lymph, and the bone. It can be carried to areas where circulation is diminished or blocked. In this way, extra oxygen can reach all the damaged tissues and the body can support its own healing process. The increased oxygen greatly enhances the ability of white blood cells to kill bacteria [4]. Recent studies have shown that HBOT can induce cell apoptosis (cell death) of B-Myeloma cancer cells [1]. HBOT has also been shown to reduce swelling and stimulate neovascularisation and angiogenesis [2].
After about 20 sessions I noticed that, even though it was taking 1.5 hrs out of my working day, being self-employed, I was very productive and was invoicing at least as much as before starting treatment and I was also feeling less stressed. After a few weeks without treatment (despite still feeling well) I decided that it would be beneficial to continue treatment 2 times per week to maintain the positive effects. My current energy levels, joint pain, skin condition and general feeling of wellbeing are all very good despite working solidly in a very active construction industry”.
John continued with follow up visits to the specialist every three months with six monthly formal reviews. His doctors said that his Multiple Myeloma is still slumbering and stable, they told him it may never change but, if it does there is no current cure and it is very painful and fatal.

In May 2017 Wellington Hospital Consultant haematologist stated that “John is well, he is asymptomatic. His blood tests are stable and in fact his paraprotein is slightly less. He has no evidence of progression”.
Recently, John said, “my ‘bloods’ have improved slightly, and I received a favourable report on Monday this week from my specialist that as time goes by, the chances of my Myeloma changing from ‘slumbering’ to full blown is increasingly less likely.
So, I think it is fair to say that there has been some improvement, which the cancer specialist said was not usual”.
John states “I believe if I continue to receive mHBOT treatment and look after my general health with diet and exercise, I have a great chance of maintaining my current healthy state with plenty of energy for my business and private life".
City Hyperbaric would like you to please note, patient results may differ. We can guarantee we will give you our full attention and provide individual professional advice and a quality service, but cannot guarantee that you will have the same outcome as this case study.

For more information on Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, visit cityhyperbaric.co.nz or phone the clinic 04 4491439.
Clinics are central city and eastern suburb based.
References:
[1] Chena S.Y, Chena P.S, Hob C. H, Lin Y. Y, Chengb J.K, Wang H.K, Sytwu H.K. Apoptosis of T-leukemia and B-myeloma cancer cells induced by hyperbaric oxygen increased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. Leukemia Research 31 (2007) 805–815.
[2] Stepien K, Ostrowski K.P, Matyja E. Hyperbaric oxygen as an adjunctive therapy in treatment of malignancies, including brain tumours. Med Oncol (2016) 33:101.
[3] Moen I, Stuhr L.E.B. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and cancer—a review. Targ Oncol (2012) 7:233–242
[4] Sahni T, Hukku S, Jain M, Prasad A, Prasad R, Singh K. Recent Advances in Hyperbaric OxygenTherapy. The Association of Physicians of India. Medicine Update, Volume 14, 2004.