Prognostic factors and therapeutic results in multiple myeloma

Prognostic factors in 68 consecutive patients with myeloma treated at the National Cancer Center Hospital from 1962 to 1984 were analyzed. Median survival time from onset was 100 months for stage I, 72 months for stage II, and 26 months for stage III of the Durie and Salmon's clinical staging system. It was 55 months in patients with normal renal function and 18 months in those with abnormal renal function. All early deaths occurred in patients with stage III disease. Hemoglobin level, bone lytic lesions and presence of Bence Jones protein were also significant prognostic factors. On the other hand, heavy chain as well as light chain subtypes of monoclonal immunoglobulin (M-component) and M-component production rate did not influence the survival of myeloma patients. The analysis of chemotherapeutic responses and survival curves according to the chemotherapy used in this study (alkylating agent vs Vinca-alkaloid plus alkylating agent) did not disclose any significant difference between the two groups. The overall response rate was 67%. The survival time from the initial chemotherapy of responding patients was significantly longer than that of nonresponders.