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News: Changes in multiple myeloma epidemiology in last 30 years reviewed

04-19-2006

Changes in multiple myeloma (MM) epidemiology in the last 30 years were reviewed.

"In this study we have evaluated 772 MM patients for clinical presentation, response to treatment, relapse modality, and survival in the last 30 years. Patients were divided, according to the date of diagnosis in group I or group II (before and after 1994, respectively) and therapy (high or conventional dose)," scientists in Italy reported.

"Bone pain and early deaths were statistically reduced in group II, whereas MM that evolved from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) had increased. The efficacy of high dose therapy (HDT) over conventional dose therapy (CDT) was confirmed through analysis of response rate, progression free, and overall survival. Relapse modality was similar after HDT or CDT. Among older patients, those diagnosed after 1994 lived longer than those diagnosed before 1994. In the last 30 years, the clinical presentation of multiple myeloma remained substantially unchanged," explained P. Zappasodi and colleagues, University of Pavia.

The researchers concluded, "The new therapeutic approaches, chemotherapy and supportive therapy, allowed better control of the disease with an improvement of survival."

Zappasodi and colleagues published their study in European Journal of Cancer (Changes in multiple myeloma epidemiology in the last thirty years: A single centre experience. Eur J Cancer, 2006;42(3):396-402).

For additional information, contact P. Zappasodi, University of Pavia, Policlin San Matteo, IRCCS, Division Hematology, Viale Golgi 19, I-27100 Pavia, Italy.

The publisher's contact information for the European Journal of Cancer is: Elsevier Science Ltd., the Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, Oxon, England.

Keywords: Pavia, Italy, Chemotherapy, Complications, Drug Development, Epidemiology, Geriatrics, Multiple Myeloma, Oncology, Survival, Cancer Therapy.

This article was prepared by Clinical Oncology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Clinical Oncology Week via NewsRx.com.