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What is the life expectancy of someone with Amyloidosis?

Life expectancy of people with Amyloidosis and recent progresses and researches in Amyloidosis

Amyloidosis life expectancy

Amyloidosis is a rare disease characterized by the abnormal buildup of amyloid proteins in various organs and tissues. The life expectancy of someone with amyloidosis can vary depending on several factors, including the type and extent of organ involvement, the presence of other underlying conditions, and the effectiveness of treatment. Early diagnosis and appropriate management are crucial in improving outcomes. While some forms of amyloidosis can be life-threatening, others may have a more favorable prognosis. It is important for individuals with amyloidosis to work closely with their healthcare team to develop a personalized treatment plan and to receive ongoing medical care to optimize their quality of life and overall prognosis.


Amyloidosis is a rare and serious disease that occurs when a protein called amyloid builds up in organs and tissues throughout the body. This amyloid buildup can make the organs not work properly and can lead to organ failure. Amyloidosis is not a single disease, but a group of different conditions that have different causes, symptoms and treatments. The life expectancy of someone with amyloidosis depends on several factors, such as the type of amyloidosis, the organs affected, the severity of the disease, the response to treatment and the presence of other health problems. In this essay, we will discuss these factors and how they affect the survival of someone with amyloidosis.

The type of amyloidosis

There are many types of amyloidosis, each caused by a different protein that forms amyloid deposits in different organs and tissues. Some of the most common types are:

  • AL amyloidosis. This type is caused by abnormal antibodies produced by plasma cells in the bone marrow. These antibodies are called light chains and they form amyloid deposits mainly in the heart, kidneys, liver and nerves. AL amyloidosis is also known as primary or systemic amyloidosis.
  • ATTR amyloidosis. This type is caused by mutations or instability of a protein called transthyretin, which is normally produced by the liver and transports thyroid hormones and vitamin A. The mutated or unstable transthyretin forms amyloid deposits mainly in the heart, nerves and eyes. ATTR amyloidosis can be inherited (familial) or acquired (wild-type or senile).
  • AA amyloidosis. This type is associated with chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, tuberculosis or familial Mediterranean fever. The inflammation triggers the production of a protein called serum amyloid A (SAA) by the liver. The SAA forms amyloid deposits mainly in the kidneys, liver and spleen. AA amyloidosis is also known as secondary or reactive amyloidosis.
  • Other types of amyloidosis. There are many other rare types of amyloidosis, each caused by a different protein that forms amyloid deposits in specific organs or tissues. Some examples are dialysis-related amyloidosis (caused by beta-2 microglobulin), localized amyloidosis (caused by various proteins that affect only one organ or tissue), hereditary non-ATTR amyloidosis (caused by mutations in other proteins besides transthyretin) and systemic non-AL non-ATTR non-AA amyloidosis (caused by proteins that affect multiple organs but are not light chains, transthyretin or SAA).

The type of amyloidosis affects the life expectancy of someone with the disease because it determines the organs that are affected, the rate of progression, the availability of treatments and the response to treatments. Some types of amyloidosis have a better prognosis than others. For example, AL amyloidosis has an average survival of about 4 years without treatment and 5 to 15 years with treatment. ATTR amyloidosis has an average survival of about 10 years without treatment and may be improved with newer treatments such as gene silencing therapy. AA amyloidosis has an average survival of about 5 years without treatment and may be improved with anti-inflammatory drugs or biologics. Other types of amyloidosis may have variable survival rates depending on the specific protein involved and the extent of organ damage.

The organs affected

The organs affected by amyloidosis also affect the life expectancy of someone with the disease because they determine the symptoms, complications and quality of life. The most common organs affected by amyloidosis are the heart and kidneys, but other organs such as the liver, spleen, nervous system, digestive tract and skin may also be involved. The symptoms of organ involvement may include fatigue, shortness of breath, swelling, numbness, tingling, pain, diarrhea, bleeding, enlarged tongue and bruising. The complications of organ damage may include heart failure, kidney failure, liver failure, nerve damage, malnutrition, infections and bleeding.

The life expectancy of someone with amyloidosis may vary depending on the extent and progression of organ damage. The more organs that are affected and the more severe the damage, the worse the prognosis. The heart and kidneys are particularly important for survival, as they are vital organs that regulate blood circulation, fluid balance, waste removal and blood pressure. The function of these organs can be monitored by tests such as echocardiography, electrocardiography, blood pressure measurement, blood tests and urine tests. These tests can help to assess the severity of the disease, the response to treatment and the risk of complications. The treatment of organ damage may include medications, devices, dialysis or transplantation. The treatment may improve the symptoms and complications of organ damage, but it may also have side effects and risks.

The response to treatment

The response to treatment is another factor that affects the life expectancy of someone with amyloidosis. The main goals of treatment are to reduce the production or accumulation of amyloid proteins and to manage the symptoms and complications of organ damage. The treatment options may include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, stem cell transplantation, organ transplantation, gene therapy and supportive care. The effectiveness and side effects of these treatments may vary from person to person. Some people may achieve complete remission or partial response to treatment, while others may have stable disease or progressive disease.

The response to treatment depends on several factors, such as the type of amyloidosis, the organs affected, the severity of the disease, the availability of treatments and the tolerance to treatments. Some types of amyloidosis are more responsive to treatment than others. For example, AL amyloidosis can be treated with chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation that target the abnormal plasma cells that produce the light chains. ATTR amyloidosis can be treated with gene therapy that silences the production of transthyretin by the liver. AA amyloidosis can be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs or biologics that control the underlying inflammatory disease. Other types of amyloidosis may have limited or no specific treatments available. The organs affected by amyloidosis also influence the response to treatment. Some organs are more sensitive to treatment than others. For example, the kidneys may show improvement in proteinuria after treatment, while the heart may show little or no improvement in function after treatment. The severity of the disease also affects the response to treatment. People with early or mild disease may have a better chance of responding to treatment than people with advanced or severe disease. The availability of treatments also affects the response to treatment. Some treatments are widely available and accessible, while others are experimental or restricted. The tolerance to treatments also affects the response to treatment. Some people may have few or no side effects from treatment, while others may have serious or intolerable side effects that limit their use or dose.

The presence of other health problems

The presence of other health problems is another factor that affects the life expectancy of someone with amyloidosis. Some people with amyloidosis may have other conditions that can affect their survival, such as infections, blood clots, heart failure, kidney failure or cancer. These conditions may require additional treatments or interventions that can affect the quality of life and prognosis of someone with amyloidosis. For example, infections may be more frequent and severe in people with amyloidosis due to impaired immunity and organ dysfunction. Blood clots may be more common in people with amyloidosis due to abnormal blood clotting factors and reduced blood flow. Heart failure and kidney failure may be more likely in people with amyloidosis due to extensive organ damage and fluid overload. Cancer may be more prevalent in people with amyloidosis due to genetic mutations or exposure to chemotherapy or radiation. These conditions may complicate the diagnosis, treatment and management of amyloidosis.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the life expectancy of someone with amyloidosis is not fixed or predictable. It depends on many factors that can change over time. Therefore, it is important for someone with amyloidosis to have regular follow-up visits with their doctor and to discuss their individual situation and expectations with them.

Diseasemaps
6 answers
depending when it is diagnosed from some months to less than 3y

Posted Jul 11, 2019 by ESPERARE
THIS is where early diagnosis and going to a specialist makes a difference. No one knows exactly!!

Posted Mar 2, 2017 by Beth 1100
There are so many kind of amyloidosis. I am fortunate to have Amylodosis AL. I do not know how long you might live with AL or any other kind but I do know you won't live long if you don't fight it.

Posted Jun 3, 2017 by Nancy 2000
Not sure, but I aim to prove them all wrong.

Posted Jul 19, 2017 by Phyllis 2000
10 years so far and planning my next 10+ years! Have faith and live well!

Posted Feb 19, 2020 by Trip 200

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