Results of a recent study conducted in California show that patients with the myeloma precursor disease monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) do not receive adequate evaluation, follow-up, or treatment for their condition.

Based on their findings, the study authors recommended that these patients receive better care consistent with the guidelines for the management of MGUS produced by the first international consensus MGUS panel in 2009.

“[Because of inadequate evaluation], we are missing patients at risk for bone-related problems, which …

Results of a recent small Phase 2 study conducted in the Netherlands suggest that Revlimid maintenance therapy improves responses in multiple myeloma patients receiving “mini” donor stem cell transplants. However, the study authors also observed a rapid onset of graft-versus-host disease in these patients after the start of Revlimid treatment.

Based on these findings, the study authors recommended against Revlimid maintenance therapy for myeloma patients receiving “mini” donor stem cell transplants.

“Acute graft-versus-host disease is a life-threatening complication after donor …

Last Sunday my wife, Pattie, and I were spending some quality “together time” around the house.

We don’t get to spend as much time together as one would think.  Like a lot of couples, we are both really busy.  Pattie works full time.  I spend much of my time writing, attending medical appointments, napping, or checking my email.  Then there’s work to do around the house, errands to run, and obligations to friends and family.

As of this weekend, I …

The results of a small, retrospective analysis show that stem cell transplants may be safe and feasible in multiple myeloma patients over the age of 70.

Based on their findings, the authors of the analysis concluded that older patients should not be excluded from stem cell transplants based on age alone.

However, according to Dr. Ashraf Badros, from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, who was not involved in the study, further trials are needed to confirm …

In last month’s column, I took a look at risks patients face in hospitals, mostly from the perspective of “adverse events” – harmful, even fatal, occurrences that are unrelated to your underlying medical problem.  They occur in almost a third of admissions.

Kent Bradley, one of the commenters on last month’s column, rightly pointed out that on top of the adverse event numbers, you have to consider also medical errors – mistakes that are made in treating you.  So, …

For those following my story closely, you may recall that my sister Deana has three adorable children, Andrew (12), Clare (8), and Gregory (2).    I love these children as if they were my own, as I do not have any of my own…by choice.

I confess I have never wanted children and really cannot pinpoint the initial time and reason I came to this conclusion.  I often say that it is because my mother was (and remains) one of the …

Novel agents, such as Velcade (bortezomib) and Revlimid (lenalidomide), have greatly advanced the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma. Indeed, by incorporating novel agents as induction therapy prior to consolidation with high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation, we have made huge strides in survival outcomes over the last 10 years.  However, treatment with anti-myeloma agents may be associated with side effects that negatively impact quality of life.

Recently, two advances have been reported resulting in a decrease …