[Anonymous]

Early vs. late stem cell transplant - definitions?

by Anonymous on Wed Nov 06, 2013 3:25 pm

Hello everybody,

I have a question about the timing of the transplant. When we talk about an early transplant vs a late transplant and that the early prolongs the PFS, the word early refers to a transplant before a relapse happens or it refers to time, for example the first 6 or 10 months since diagnosis. So, somebody who decides to proceed to a transplant after 10 or 14 months of his diagnosis, and he is still in his first CR, he will proceed to an early transplant?

Best regards
Donna

[Multibilly]

Re: Early vs. late stem cell transplant - definitions?

by Multibilly on Wed Nov 06, 2013 3:57 pm

I believe you will find that there is no standard definition of early versus late (delayed) when having these sorts of discussions. In the case of a published study, it all depends on what the study chose to use as the determining cutoff point. In the study below, the cutoff period between early versus delayed was 12 months since diagnosis. Be sure to look at the OS stats in addition to the PFS stats when weighing a transplant. Good luck.

https://myelomabeacon.org/news/2013/08/16/stem-cell-transplant-timing-multiple-myeloma/

[Anonymous]

Re: Early vs. late stem cell transplant - definitions?

by Anonymous on Sun Nov 10, 2013 8:24 am

Thank you for your answer. I understand your point of view. OS similar even that PFS is different. There are some people like Dr. Tricot and Dr. Barlogie who believe that tandem transplant can be even curable or increase the survival. Take care