[Double half-body radiotherapy in myeloma]

Seven patients with advanced multiple myeloma, failing to respond (1 case) or relapsing (6 cases) after conventional chemotherapy with melphalan, cyclophosphamide and prednisone, were treated with double half-body irradiation. Two patients died before the irradiation could be completed. The five patients who received the total dose of irradiation obtained a reduction in their tumour mass of between 40 and 80%. There was an incomplete and inconstant effect on pain and functional status. The haematological toxicity was marked and one patient died after 7 months from marrow failure. One of the four remaining patients relapsed after 3 months and the other three are still in remission after 6, 8 and 10 months. In the present state of knowledge, double half-body irradiation should be considered to be a form of salvage treatment for myelomas not responding to chemotherapy.