Latest advances in the management of elderly patients with multiple myeloma

In the last few years many advances have been made in the understanding and treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). MM is a plasma cell neoplasm that accounts for approximately 10% of all hematologic malignancies, it is typical of the elderly, with a median age at diagnosis of 65 years [101].

The diagnosis of MM requires the presence of at least 10% clonal plasma cells on bone marrow examination and/or a biopsy-proven plasmacytoma, as well as evidence of end-organ damage, the so-called ‘CRAB’ symptoms (hypercalcemia, renal insufficiency, anemia or bone lesions) [1]. Although there has been recent discussion about time of treatment, so far no benefit from starting therapy earlier has been evidenced, and thus treatment should be given only when end-organ damage occurs [2].

Click here to view full article.