Multiple Myeloma: clinical and laboratory manifestations and main treatment regimens Hospital de San José de Bogotá DC. 2003 to 2010 Mieloma múltiple: clínica, paraclínica y principales esquemas de tratamiento Hospital de San José de Bogotá DC. 2003 a 2010

Abstract

Multiple myeloma is an incurable cancer of the plasma cells featuring disabling morbidity due to its many possible symptoms and high mortality rate. It affects all races and geographic regions. The average age at diagnosis is 66 years. Only 10% are under age 50 and 2% under 40. Objective: to describe the clinical and laboratory manifestations and main first-line therapies of patients managed and treated at Hospital de San José, Bogotá DC, between January 2003 and December 2010. Method: a retrospective cohort study of patients with diagnosed symptomatic multiple myeloma aged more than 18 years based on data compiled from clinical records. Results: thirty-nine (39) patients were diagnosed in an 8-year period, 59% were men with a mean age of 59.7 years (SD 10.7). Seventy percent (70%) were considered candidates for a transplant and this procedure was actually performed in 33.0% (n= 7/21). The chemotherapy regimen most commonly used was a thalidomide--dexamethasone combination (23%). The most frequently observed response to therapy was a very good partial response (40.9%) and 23.7% achieved at least one complete response.