Hemibody irradiation in multiple myeloma.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiotherapy

Background:

• Multiple myeloma patients often develop resistance to conventional chemotherapy.
• Symptomatic bone pain is a common complication requiring management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of hemibody irradiation in multiple myeloma patients resistant to chemotherapy.
• To assess pain reduction, biochemical marker changes, and survival outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Eighteen multiple myeloma patients received hemibody irradiation (10 Gy lower half, 7.5 Gy upper half).
• Patients were largely refractory to prior melphalan and prednisone chemotherapy.
• Prior local field irradiation for bone pain was common.

Main Results:

• Eleven of 13 symptomatic patients experienced sufficient improvement to reduce analgesia.
• Eight patients showed a significant decrease in circulating immunoglobulin levels.
• Thrombocytopenia and neutropenia occurred but were generally well-tolerated; only two patients needed platelet transfusions.

Conclusions:

• Hemibody irradiation is a well-tolerated and effective treatment for symptomatic multiple myeloma in patients resistant to chemotherapy.
• It provides significant pain relief and can improve biochemical markers.
• Survival outcomes are comparable to second-line chemotherapy, suggesting it as a more acceptable alternative.