The 48th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) will take place Friday, June 1, through Tuesday, June 5, in Chicago.

More than 25,000 clin­i­cal spe­cialists from all over the world are ex­pec­ted to attend the five-day meeting to discuss the cur­rent re­search in cancer treat­ment and care. The theme for this year’s meeting is “Collaborating to Conquer Cancer.”

The meeting will in­clude many pre­sen­ta­tions and seminars focused spe­cif­i­cally on mul­ti­ple myeloma. The ASCO website cur­rently lists …

It seems that one of the most common (and reviled) topics in the Beacon's columns and forums is dexa­meth­a­sone and its side effects.

For most of the 15 cycles I've been receiving treat­ment, I haven't had much in the way of side effects related to the dexamethasone (Decadron).  I certainly haven't experienced some of the significant issues that a lot of others have.

Recently however, the effects have been getting more noticeable.

Still, I hadn't planned on using it …

The results of the three major clinical trials investigating Revlimid maintenance therapy were published yesterday in three separate articles in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The articles were accompanied by an editorial summarizing the study findings and discussing their significance for the treatment of multiple myeloma patients.

All three clinical trials involved newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients.  The patients in the trials first underwent initial treatment that in some cases included Revlimid (lenalidomide).  In two of the three …

Could I handle dex?  Would I ever be standing tall again without pain?   Could such a new drug as Velcade restore my bone marrow to health?  How about the side effects?

These were the unanswered questions of my universe in the early autumn of 2009.

During that time, my family and I all became very familiar with the cancer center.  Lovely artwork, all donated or on loan, brightened the walls of the hallways.  Volunteers served tea in bone china teacups …

The results of a recent Swedish study indicate that the development of blood clots in the veins or arteries of multiple myeloma patients negatively affects survival outcomes.

The study investigators conclude that these findings warrant further studies to determine whether blood clot prevention measures can extend the survival of myeloma patients.

“There are effective ways to prevent venous and arterial thrombosis in myeloma patients; e.g, aspirin, heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and Pradaxa (dabigatran),” said Dr. Edward Libby of the University of …

Deana celebrated the big 4-oh on May 5 in a manner favored by our family – on a cruise ship.  I celebrated by spending the day with Darrie, in what is becoming a tradition for us three sisters – Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend.

As we were facing our demon, multiple myeloma, last year at this time, I began suggesting a grand plan for Deana’s 40^th birthday – a party at the restaurant Deana has chosen for my pre-race carbo load, family …

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration earlier today issued an extensive update regarding the risk of developing a second cancer while being treated with Revlimid.

The update comes on the heels of a change the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made to the prescribing information for Revlimid (lenalidomide) in March of this year.

The change involved the addition of a warning that patients being treated with Revlimid have an increased risk of developing a second cancer (see related Beacon …