Improved survival in multiple myeloma with combination chemotherapy and plasmapheresis

The relation of different cytostatic regimens and plasmapheresis to survival time was studied in patients with stage III myeloma. The median survival time for 23 melphalan-prednisolone treated patients was 9 months. Nine melphalan-prednisolone treated patients, who were in addition treated with plasmapheresis survived longer (median 23 months), but the difference was not significant. Twenty-five patients, treated with plasmapheresis and cytostatic combination (melphalan, cyclophosphamide, BCNU, vincristine, prednisolone) survived significantly longer, for 61 months (median). Cytostatic combination therapy seems to prolong survival in stage III myeloma. Plasmapheresis may also have a favourable effect.