[Survival and therapy of multiple myeloma. Apropos of 56 observed cases]

56 cases of myeloma observed since 1956 are reviewed and it is noted that course, prognosis and survival have changed in relation to the improvement in diagnostic procedures and therapeutic aids. The recent introduction of polychemotherapeutic approaches based on theoretical considerations has not yet been fully vetted in the clinic although a higher percentage of remissions compared to that obtained by monochemotherapy would seem to be confirmed. Personal experience with a new polychemotherapeutic schema in advanced myeloma resistant to monochemotherapy + prednisone is reported.