Multiple myeloma and other malignancies: a pilot study from the Houston VA
Reinhold Munker1, Runhua Shi1, Derek Lin2
1Louisiana State University, Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA.
Background:
The prognosis of multiple myeloma (MM) has improved in recent years. Therefore, second malignant neoplasms (SMNs) may become an issue for longer term survivors with MM. An increased incidence of second malignancies was reported in patients who received lenalidomide for relapsed or refractory myeloma.
Patients And Methods:
Data from the Tumor Registry of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (1995-2010) were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier survival statistics were calculated.
Results:
In 197 patients with MM, 39 different cancers were observed in 33 patients, the large majority occurring before the diagnosis of MM, with most being early-stage or good-prognosis malignancies. Despite this, the prognosis of patients with a second or third cancer was clearly inferior to patients without other cancers. Notable was a significant number of prostate cancers as preexisting malignancies.
Conclusion:
At present, most other cancers (for which MM is the secondary malignancy) may not be related to the treatment for myeloma, but due to underlying immunologic, genetic, or environmental factors. Larger studies and careful follow-up, especially in good-risk patients treated with novel agents, are indicated.
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