[Combined therapy of multiple myeloma: cytostatics and plasmapheresis]

In 11 patients with III A stage multiple myeloma in every week before new course of cytostatics started, three times plasmapheresis therapy had been performed. There was no difference in reducing of plasma cell mass, plasma immunoglobulins concentration and proteinuria or disappearance of osteolytic bone lesions between the group of patients treated with combination chemotherapy and plasmapheresis and chemotherapy alone. However there was visible disparity in the disappearance of bony pains: rapidly in the plasmapheresis group. One serious complication after plasmapheresis therapy was notified: gastric haemorrhage. The remaining plasmapheresis complications: tetany, nausea, vomiting, chills and bradycardia were related to citrate toxicity.