One of the first questions most of us probably ask after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma is "How long do I have?", or some derivative thereof.  For me, I think the question came right after asking what multiple myeloma is, and whether it's curable.

Perhaps it might be better to take a more philosophical approach and respond by asking "How long does anyone have?", reflecting the fact that life is a crap shoot, stuff happens, and we truly don't know …

Additional results from a Phase 3 study show that Xgeva may be more effective than Zometa in treating bone disease in multiple myeloma patients. Specifically, Xgeva was better than Zometa in reducing bone fractures, limiting the need for bone radiation treatment, and preventing the worsening of pain in cancer patients with bone disease.

Despite these findings, physicians are likely to remain cautious about treating myeloma patients with Xgeva, as there are concerns about the drug's safety when used in myeloma …

After my sister Deana, who has multiple myeloma, struggled with an infection for much of June, we are all grateful that July was a much quieter month.

I should say that Deana felt my coverage of her cold and emergency room visit in last month’s column was an overly dramatic retelling.  I stand by my version of events, even if I wasn’t in Pittsburgh with Deana to witness all of it firsthand.  Perception is reality, and I perceived it …

Results from a recent retrospective study con­firm that treat­ment with a com­bi­na­tion of Revlimid and dexa­meth­a­sone slows disease pro­gres­sion and im­proves survival in elderly patients with re­lapsed or refractory myeloma.

However, findings from the study also indicate that certain side effects, such as anemia and blood clots, occurred more frequently in elderly patients.

Novel agents such as Revlimid (lena­lido­mide), thalidomide (Thalomid), and Velcade (bor­tez­o­mib) are commonly used to treat re­lapsed and refractory myeloma.

A pre­vi­ous study found …

My great great grandparents emigrated to Nova Scotia from Scotland in the 1840’s. 

Of course their lives were much more difficult compared to how we live today, but the thing that stands out in my great great grandmother’s own account of her life is how many children she had and how many died during childhood. 

Of her 14 children, seven did not survive to adulthood. All of them died of infec­tious diseases. This cast a pall on her remaining life. My great …

The results of a recent Greek study indicate that kidney impairment is highly reversible in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients treated with regimens containing Velcade, thalidomide, and Revlimid.

Additionally, the Greek researchers found that Velcade (bortezomib)-based treatments were associated with a shorter time to response  and higher rates of restoration of kidney function than thalidomide (Thalomid)- and Revlimid (lenalidomide)-based regimens.

Based on their findings, the researchers recommend that Velcade be used as initial therapy for myeloma patients …

Just as I had settled down to get some inspiration for this month’s column, my young daughter breezed into my office to share this juicy information about her older sister:

“Daddy, Katie said the F-word!”

I was shocked to even hear Lizzie say ‘F-word.’ Taken by surprise, I sprayed a mouthful of my morning coffee and blurted out, “She did not!”

Before I could stop her, young Lizzie, with a twinkle in her eye, trumpeted, “Katie called a lady fat!” …