The majority of multiple myeloma patients suffer from bone disease, and drugs called bisphosphonates are commonly used to help improve bone health in myeloma patients. Dr. David Roodman of the University of Pittsburgh discussed the current use of bisphosphonates in multiple myeloma during an education session on June 7 at the annual American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting.

Treatment of myeloma bone disease is important, since 20 percent of multiple myeloma patients experience a fracture at the time of …

Results of a Phase 3 trial showed that the addition of thalidomide (Thalomid) to Velcade (bortezomib), melphalan (Alkeran), and prednisone (referred to as VMPT), followed by long-term treatment with Velcade and thalidomide (VT), may become the new standard of care for elderly multiple myeloma patients. The results were presented by Dr. Antonio Palumbo of the University of Turin, Italy, on June 6 at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago.

Dr. Palumbo …

Three months after my initial multiple myeloma diagnosis in the spring of 2007, my oncologist at Mayo Clinic, Dr. Zeldenrust, looked me in eyes and said, “The average Stage II patient lives 43 months.”

That's less than four years. It was an accurate, honest answer at the time. I had pushed and prodded him to give me a prognosis. Like many patients, I needed some idea about how to plan for my now shortened future.

I was 51 years old. …

Significant advances have been made in the treatment of multiple myeloma since the introduction of thalidomide (Thalomid), Revlimid (lenalidomide), and Velcade (bortezomib). Combinations of these “novel agents” have significantly improved response rates and survival rates with better safety profiles than stem cell transplants, leading researchers and patients to ask whether the use of transplants is necessary given the efficacy of the novel agents.

Two studies that are investigating whether novel agents are as effective, or possibly more …

Advances in the development of multiple myeloma drugs have had a profound impact on the way the disease is treated. Given the efficacy and relative safety of these novel agents, studies are being conducted to determine whether they may be as effective, or possibly even more effective, than an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). Two such studies were presented June 6 at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago.

Results from the two studies suggest …

Many multiple myeloma patients are afflicted by tingling and pain in the hands, arms, feet, and legs (known as peripheral neuropathy). Treatments for myeloma can make this neuropathy worse. Dr. Paul Richardson of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute discussed the prevention and management of peripheral neuropathy (PN) during an education session on June 7 at the annual American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting.

Dr. Richardson explained that myeloma, itself, causes nerve damage that leads to the pain and tingling. Up …

By way of introduction, I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma on May 5, 2006. That puts me right smack at the halfway point of what one of my doctors said back then. I recall his words well. “I think I can give you a good seven to eight years,” he said.

But, who’s counting.

I will be writing a monthly column for The Myeloma Beacon about my experiences since my diagnosis with myeloma.

You can look for my future columns …