[deansnow]

Plasmablastic multiple myeloma

by deansnow on Tue Jul 23, 2013 3:57 pm

There doesn't seem to be any mention of plasmablastic myeloma anywhere in the forums. My dad was diagnosed with plasmablastic myeloma in January. We were told that it is rare (less than 5% of myelomas).

Does anybody out there have any experience with this type of myeloma? Should we treat it differently than other types of myeloma?

[Dr. Edward Libby]

Re: Plasmablastic multiple myeloma

by Dr. Edward Libby on Fri Jul 26, 2013 7:21 pm

Hello from sunny Seattle, deansnow,

Plasmablastic myeloma is uncommon and you are right ... there is very little out there about the topic. Perhaps 5-15% of myeloma patients have this feature in their pathology.

The term "plasmablastic" refers to the way the cancerous myeloma cells (plasma cells) look under the microscope. Plasmablastic features are thought to confer a poor clinical prognosis. However, it is important to know the term "plasmablastic" was coined before newer anti-myeloma thera­peutics such as thalidomide and Velcade (bortezomib) were available. Therefore its effect on prognosis for patients in the current era is unknown.

In 2013, the most important features that determine prognosis and treatment of symptomatic multiple myeloma are the ISS stage and cytogenetics. I would endeavor to find out what the results of these tests are for your father.

Thank you for bringing this unusual topic to our forum!