Danish researchers recently found that patients who underwent stem cell transplantation frequently experienced sexual dysfunction, sometimes for extended periods of time after transplantation.  Patients who experienced reduced sexual function also reported lower quality of life.

Given the frequency of sexual dysfunction in these patients, the researchers concluded that there is a strong need for treatment studies in this area.

“Sexuality and sexual function is a quality of life variable that is in particular need of further research and attention in …

A recent report published by a group of multiple myeloma experts in Europe recommends individualized treatment strategies for elderly myeloma patients based on their physical health.

Specifically, the authors suggest that physicians evaluate the age and physical condition of elderly myeloma patients prior to therapy in order to create well-tolerated regimens that would optimize treatment outcomes.

According to Dr. Antonio Palumbo, from the University of Torino in Italy and the lead author of the report, tailored therapies are important for …

As promised, I would like to share my thoughts on the important question:  Is treatment for multiple myeloma a privilege or a right?

After reading some of the comments and emails following my column about battling my health insurance company, it is clear that a number of readers strongly feel that treatment for multiple myeloma—or any type of health care, for that matter—is definitely not a right.

Although my opinion differs, I shouldn’t be surprised by this.  Support for …

Newly diagnosed, high-risk multiple myeloma patients can be effectively treated with sequential therapy, according to the results of a recent Phase 2 study.  Participants in this study initially received a combination of Velcade, Doxil, and dexamethasone followed by a combination of thalidomide and dexamethasone, with the potential addition of Velcade to the second phase.

The study authors found that the sequential treatment provided rapid responses, which they said is crucial for patients with organ damage or those with advanced disease …

When I was first diagnosed with multiple myeloma five and a half years ago, I was told by my local oncologist that the place to go for treatment was the University of Arkansas.  So that was the first stop on my multiple myeloma journey.

I was introduced to the aggressive Arkansas Total Therapy protocol: high dose chemotherapy with multiple active agents, followed by tandem (two back-to-back) stem cell transplants, and then two to three years of maintenance therapy.

The team of …

European myeloma experts recently developed guidelines for the appropriate management of side effects associated with novel agent therapy for older multiple myeloma patients. This article, Part 4 in the series, covers the experts’ recommendations on novel agent use in specific patient populations.

In general, the European experts recommended that older patients with other diseases see a specialist for that specific disease before starting treatment with the novel agents Velcade (bortezomib), thalidomide (Thalomid), and Revlimid (lenalidomide) as well …

Since this article is being published the day after the 10^th anniversary of September 11, I felt it appropriate to dedicate this column to the first member of Team Beat The H*ll Outta Multiple Myeloma (BTHO MM).  While readers might think the first member would obviously be my sister Deana, who is the myeloma patient in our family, I contend our first member was Nurse Linda.

Without covering information already shared in my first column, Nurse Linda works at …