One of the biggest names in Indian folk singing Sharda Sinha, known for her legendary Bhojpuri, Maithili, and Magahi songs, passed away due to complications from multiple myeloma – a rare blood cancer. Fondly known as the Bihar Kokila or the Nightingale of Bihar, Sinha was battling this cancer, also known as Kahler’s disease which occurs when plasma cells in the bone marrow become cancerous, since 2018. Sinha was admitted to the Oncology Medical Department at AIIMS, New Delhi for nearly two weeks, and as her condition worsened earlier this week, she was placed on ventilator support.
What is multiple myeloma? Experts say multiple myeloma affects your plasma cells - which blood cells which are a part of your immune system. Also known as B-cells which make antibodies, help fight infection. Multiple myeloma happens when healthy cells turn into abnormal cells that multiply and produce abnormal antibodies called M proteins.
This change starts a cascade of medical issues and conditions that can affect your bones, kidneys and your body’s ability to make healthy white and red blood celss and platelets. There is no known cure for multiple myeloma and doctors provide treatments to help those affected as long as possible while having quality of life. But there is a possibility for prolonged remission.
- which begins after treatment when you don’t have multiple myeloma signs or symptoms. Signs and symptoms of myeloma According to experts, multiple myeloma affects more men than wom.