Staging Systems and Prognostic Factors as a Guide to Therapeutic Decisions in Multiple Myeloma

MC Kyrtsonis, D Maltezas, T Tzenou, E Koulieris, Arthur Bradwell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) patients have a highly variable disease course and survival varies from a few months to more than 10 years. Numerous prognostic factors have been identified, including age, performance status (PS), serum albumin, beta(2)-microglobulin (beta M-2), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), renal function, genetic factors, and serum free light chains (sFLCs) or their ratio (sFLCR). Several models have been built to separate patients into various risk groups with different outcomes. Staging systems need to be simple, accurate, and readily available in order to effectively guide treatment decisions now that effective treatments exist that prolong survival. The International Staging System (ISS) is currently in use; it is highly prognostic but presents some limitations. We suggest that the ISS prognostic potential could be improved with the addition of sFLCR and eventually LDH. Semin Hematol 46:110-117. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Inc.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)110-117
Number of pages8
JournalSeminars in Hematology
Volume46
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2009

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