He wouldn't have learned if he hadn't fallen: Cancer was the underlying cause of the severe pain!

A series of unfortunate accidents experienced by 53-year-old Cemal Anitaş revealed the truth that changed his life. The back pain that started after a fall on vacation was exacerbated by a second fall within a few weeks. An MRI scan taken due to these pains revealed abnormal findings in the bones. After further examinations, he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, or bone marrow cancer.

Noting that if these traumas had not occurred and an MRI had not been performed, the diagnosis would have probably been made years later, perhaps when organ damage had occurred, Specialist Dr. Gökhan Özgür said, "This fall is a great opportunity for early diagnosis. Multiple myeloma is a disease that progresses insidiously. The diagnosis is usually made after symptoms such as anemia, bone lesions or kidney failure appear. However, in Cemal Bey's case, the MRI images taken after three consecutive falls showed the characteristic signs of the disease, and thus, there was a chance for early intervention."

"I now call my dog ​​'my lion son' because he probably saved my life"

Telling his story, Cemal Anitaş said, "It all started while I was on vacation in Egypt. I didn't notice a 20-centimeter hole, I stepped into the gap and fell. I felt a 'click' pain in my back. I thought it was over. Two weeks later, while walking my dog, I fell into a 10-centimeter hole. The same pain occurred again. In the third incident, a cat that had just given birth pushed me, I fell again, the same back pain again... These accidents came one after another. Finally, we had an MRI. While waiting for the results, one cannot help but go to the internet and do research. You read demoralizing things, but when you carry out the process with a good team, everything becomes easier."

Anitaş said, "My doctor guided us very well during this process. So did his team. We are currently in the first month of treatment and we are doing very well. Frankly, it was a stroke of luck that this situation was noticed. If these accidents had not happened, my disease would have been revealed much later. I now call my dog ​​'my son the lion' because he may have saved my life."

"If you lose your joy in this process, you will have a hard time"

Anitaş added the following to his words: "I go to treatment on Mondays and Fridays. It is difficult at times, the drugs have side effects, but I try to be strong. My wife and son support me a lot. If you lose your joy during this process, it will be difficult. I am more conscious now. I have clearly learned that everyone should have a check-up once a year."

"It can progress without symptoms for 5-6 years"

Specialist Dr. Özgür said, "Our patient came to us about a month ago with complaints of back pain. He had a history of trauma and the MRI taken after this trauma detected findings indicating bone marrow cancer. We made a rapid evaluation as hematology and diagnosed with a bone marrow biopsy. Our patient's condition was diagnosed as multiple myeloma, one of the bone marrow cancers. Multiple myeloma is a disease that progresses more slowly compared to acute leukemias. Since the disease progresses insidiously, diagnosis is usually made with findings such as anemia, bone lesions or kidney damage. On average, it can progress without symptoms for 5-6 years. Mr. Cemal also noticed a 'stapler' appearance on the MRI. If this trauma had not occurred, the diagnosis could have been made much later."

"The treatment process for multiple myeloma is long"

Noting that they started treatment quickly, Specialist Dr. Özgür said, "We are currently not using chemotherapy, but targeted treatments and smart drugs. Mr. Cemal's back pain has decreased, and no organ damage has developed. This is very pleasing for us. The treatment process for multiple myeloma is long. In the first stage, we give intensive induction treatment, followed by reinforcement and maintenance treatment. If there is transplant suitability, planning is made after the 4th month. Maintenance treatment lasts approximately 2 years."

"There are complaints such as dry mouth and excessive thirst"

"Multiple myeloma is one of the most common types of bone marrow cancer in the world," said Specialist Dr. Özgür, "Sometimes it is noticed during a check-up with anemia or inflammation. At this point, the doctor's suspicion is very important. Cemal Bey's diagnosis was also made thanks to this awareness. Our patients usually have problems such as anemia, vertebral fractures, and high calcium. There are complaints such as dry mouth, excessive thirst, weakness, and pain. Therefore, a regular life, exercise, and check-ups are very important.