Double hemibody irradiation in chemotherapy-resistant multiple myeloma

Seven patients with high-mass multiple myeloma resistant to chemotherapy were treated by double hemibody irradiation (DHI). The total-body myeloma cell mass decreased from 38% to 80% for the five patients who received a complete treatment. Pain and performance status were improved. Hematological toxicity was severe, and one patient died after 3 months from marrow aplasia. Survival from 3 to greater than 19 months was obtained after the completion of DHI. According to our experiment, DHI can be considered as a treatment of last resort for resistant multiple myeloma.