[Smoldering myeloma]

The authors present the history of a 74 year old woman. The patient was observed from 1972. Initially the bone marrow and serum protein dischanges were identical to multiple myeloma, therefore she was treated with melphalan-prednisolone regimen for one year. She was symptom free for 12 years with none of any treatment. Her bone marrow picture and serum protein aberrations were stabil. In 1985, the clinical signs and laboratory parameters of multiple myeloma arised. Major clinical symptoms, myelomatous bone lesions were detectable and the monoclonal protein level increased. In activation period repeated local irradiation and VCMP and VACP polychemotherapy was performed. Her history was typical to smoldering myeloma. The presentation of that disease is not available in Hungarian literature. The authors present the criteria of diagnosis, the therapeutic possibilities and the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant gammopathies.