Hello,
Does anyone know about multiple myeloma treatment in Cyprus? We live in France, but my family would like to move back there (we're originally from there) and I will take my mother with me, who suffers from multiple myeloma.
She recently started with Revlimid and dexamethasone and is undergoing her third cycle.
Does anyone know anything about the standards of treatment there? It is a EU member.
Any info would be highly appreciated.
Forums
5 posts
• Page 1 of 1
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Maro - Who do you know with myeloma?: My mom
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 63
Re: Multiple myeloma treatment in Cyprus
It appears that very complex cases of illnesses are sent to Greece for treatment:
http://www.moh.gov.cy/moh/ngh/ngh.nsf/ngh26_en/ngh26_en?OpenDocument
http://www.moh.gov.cy/moh/ngh/ngh.nsf/ngh26_en/ngh26_en?OpenDocument
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Little Monkey - Name: Little Monkey
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Father-stage 1 multiple myeloma
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March/April of 2015
Re: Multiple myeloma treatment in Cyprus
Hello, Maro:
I am not aware of any major centers in Cyprus. However, Dr. Dimopoulous and his team are one of Europe's leading myeloma teams, and they are out of Athens.
Regards, JPC
I am not aware of any major centers in Cyprus. However, Dr. Dimopoulous and his team are one of Europe's leading myeloma teams, and they are out of Athens.
Regards, JPC
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JPC - Name: JPC
Re: Multiple myeloma treatment in Cyprus
Hello Maro,
My name is Oleg, I am 48 year old multiple myeloma patient living in Limassol, Cyprus.
I was diagnosed 2 years ago, starting with a found plasmacytoma on the right hip. Currently I am on 25 mg Revlimid daily 21 day cycle and weekly 40 mg of dexamethasone (just finished my first month).
1. I can not comment on the public system care here 100% because it is non existent until now. We have 2-3 private hematologists in the country, that is all. I am lucky to have a private medical insurance before I was diagnosed, so most things are covered. For example, my induction therapy was Velcade + dex for 5 months and it was fully covered by insurance. Otherwise, the bill would be unbearable.
2. I have not made a transplant due to some heart issues I had at the time, so we decided to continue with Revlimid and dex. I applied for coverage with my insurance company, my doctor made a brilliant decision to apply for help with the local Ministry of Health. Quite surprisingly, the government approved my using Revlimid and dex free for the period of 6 months and then decision will be taken based on the results.
3. As for the transplant, it is free for any citizen of Cyprus as they have quite recently opened a state of the art (they say) transplant center. I still have to see about that if time and possibility comes.
All in all, there is no system in place, the analogue of NHS scheme is supposed to start here around 2017. Cases of multiple myeloma are very few and doctors experiences are less than those in U.S. or France I am sure.
That said, it does not stop us from fighting, getting things done, and to tell you it probably sounds more complicated and difficult than it is.
All the best!
My name is Oleg, I am 48 year old multiple myeloma patient living in Limassol, Cyprus.
I was diagnosed 2 years ago, starting with a found plasmacytoma on the right hip. Currently I am on 25 mg Revlimid daily 21 day cycle and weekly 40 mg of dexamethasone (just finished my first month).
1. I can not comment on the public system care here 100% because it is non existent until now. We have 2-3 private hematologists in the country, that is all. I am lucky to have a private medical insurance before I was diagnosed, so most things are covered. For example, my induction therapy was Velcade + dex for 5 months and it was fully covered by insurance. Otherwise, the bill would be unbearable.
2. I have not made a transplant due to some heart issues I had at the time, so we decided to continue with Revlimid and dex. I applied for coverage with my insurance company, my doctor made a brilliant decision to apply for help with the local Ministry of Health. Quite surprisingly, the government approved my using Revlimid and dex free for the period of 6 months and then decision will be taken based on the results.
3. As for the transplant, it is free for any citizen of Cyprus as they have quite recently opened a state of the art (they say) transplant center. I still have to see about that if time and possibility comes.
All in all, there is no system in place, the analogue of NHS scheme is supposed to start here around 2017. Cases of multiple myeloma are very few and doctors experiences are less than those in U.S. or France I am sure.
That said, it does not stop us from fighting, getting things done, and to tell you it probably sounds more complicated and difficult than it is.
All the best!
Re: Multiple myeloma treatment in Cyprus
Hello Oleg,
Thank you so much for your answer. I only just discovered it and had not noticed there was a reply to my post.
It is nice to hear that in Cyprus they do have novel agents like Velcade and Revlimid.
It does sound like a risky move for us to move to Cyprus based on what you have told me. We would probably have a hard time getting medical coverage there while everything in France is free. We are coming on holidays this summer, though, if my mother's condition allows it.
At least you can enjoy the peace of lovely Cyprus island
How are you doing now Oleg? Has your treatment been working for you?
Wishing you well.
Maro
Thank you so much for your answer. I only just discovered it and had not noticed there was a reply to my post.
It is nice to hear that in Cyprus they do have novel agents like Velcade and Revlimid.
It does sound like a risky move for us to move to Cyprus based on what you have told me. We would probably have a hard time getting medical coverage there while everything in France is free. We are coming on holidays this summer, though, if my mother's condition allows it.
At least you can enjoy the peace of lovely Cyprus island
How are you doing now Oleg? Has your treatment been working for you?
Wishing you well.
Maro
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Maro - Who do you know with myeloma?: My mom
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 63
5 posts
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