Multiple Myeloma-Prognosis, Treatment and Survival in an Eight Year Study

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Abstract
Data are presented from an unselected group of 76 patients with multiple myeloma, diagnosed over an 8 yr period in Christchurch, New Zealand. The median survival time was 31 mo. from commencement of treatment. The median survival of patients with Bence Jones proteinuria (29 mo.) was significantly shorter than those without this feature (47 mo.). Patients with .lambda. proteinuria had a median survival of 25.5 mo. and those with .kappa. proteinuria 32 mo., but this difference was not statistically significant. The correlation of presenting anemia, azotemia or hypoalbuminemia with a bad prognosis was confirmed. Immunosuppression of nonmyeloma immunoglobulins [Ig] in patients with IgA or IgG myeloma was associated with a significantly worse median survival. Chemotherapy was discontinued in 11 patients at a variable period after 1 yr of remission. In 6 cases the disease did not relapse, but relapse occurred in 4 cases and in 3 of these control could not be reasserted. One patient developed acute myeloblastic leukemia 5 mo. after treatment was discontinued.