[Clinical analysis of 25 cases of multiple myeloma]

Since 1972, 25 cases of multiple myeloma had been diagnosed. Of them, 22 (88%) were over 50 years old. Most of them had bone pain with anemia to different degrees. Marked elevation of ESR was found in 19 cases. Bence-Jones protein was detected in the urine in 15 cases resulting in elevation of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. Twenty-two of 23 cases were found to have a high peak of abnormal globulin. Increased plasma cells with abnormal features in the bone marrow were observed in 17/21 cases. Multiple osteolytic lesions, compression fracture and osteoporosis on X-ray films were shown in the majority. Of these 25 cases, 10 had advanced myeloma. These 10 patients all died during admission and eight without any chemotherapy. In the other 15 cases treated with chemotherapy, marked response was seen in 1, partial response in 8 and no response in 6. The diagnosis of the disease is discussed in detail.