[A case of multiple myeloma treated with long-term peritoneal dialysis]

A 54-year-old female was admitted to our hospital in November 1979 with a history of lumbago and proteinuria. She was diagnosed as suffering from chronic renal failure (CRF) due to multiple myeloma (Bence-Jones kappa type). Intermittent COP therapy (a combination of cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisolone) and peritoneal dialysis were started. Her clinical condition was improved and well controlled by peritoneal dialysis over a period of 26 months until she died of pneumonia. Renal failure due to multiple myeloma has been a very poor prognosis. Hemodialysis has been used for renal failure much more frequently than peritoneal dialysis. In this case, control of chronic renal failure due to multiple myeloma with peritoneal dialysis was successfully performed over a long period of time. Peritoneal dialysis, therefore, may be an effective therapy for CRF due to multiple myeloma.