Via practica 7-8/2007

MULTIPLE MYELOMA – DIAGNOSTICS AND TREATMENT FOR GENERAL PRACTITIONER

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurrable malignant disorder with an incidence of 3 – 4/100 000, increasing with the age. Current treatment strategies led to a substantial improvement of quality of life and prolonged survival of patients. Median survival of patients treated with autologous transplantation is 5 years compared with 4 years after conventional therapy. Novel agents extended treatment options, particularly in patient with relapse. Considerably improved supportive treatment. Advances have been achieved in the field of biology, classification and diagnostics of monoclonal gammopathies. Following arcticle summarises current diagnostics and treatment options in patients with MM.

Keywords: myeloma, diagnostics, risk factors, treatment.