Myeloma specialists from the Czech Republic have published clinical trial results that shed further light on chromosomal abnormalities and their impact on survival in newly diag­nosed multiple myeloma patients.

Specifically, the researchers found that patients with three or more chromos­omal abnor­malities, a gain in the 1q21 region, or the trans­location t(4;14) have reduced survival compared to patients without such abnormalities.

According to the researchers, their findings highlight the importance of chromosomal abnormalities when considering treatment options for myeloma patients.

They note, however, that their findings need to be confirmed in…

Since I got my myeloma diagnosis five and a half years ago, I haven’t been given to bouts of depression.

With a myeloma diagnosis, you really don’t have time to feel sorry for yourself.

I’ve tried to take in stride all the things “they” have done to me – two autologus stem cell transplants, a myriad of chemotherapy side effects, an open lung biopsy, and endless needle sticks, just to name a few.

Then there’s the prodding, probing, and testing by various doctors and specialist of all kinds.  There were…

A recent British analysis of data from a major clinical trial found that thalidomide maintenance therapy did not have a uniformly positive impact on overall survival in multiple myeloma patients.

In fact, overall survival for patients in the trial who received thalidomide maintenance was slightly lower than overall survival for patients who did not receive maintenance therapy.  The difference, however, was not statistically significant.

In contrast, progression free survival was significantly longer for patients who received thalidomide maintenance compared to patients who were not on a maintenance regimen.

The study…

The results of a recent British analysis found that multiple myeloma patients with a deletion in chromosome 17 who received thalidomide induction therapy had improved response rates compared to those who did not receive thalidomide. 

These improved response rates also were accompanied by improve­ments in patients’ overall survival, but the improvements were not statistically significant.

Moreover, patients with a deletion in chromosome 17 who received thalidomide as part of a maintenance regimen had shorter overall survival than those who did not receive thalidomide maintenance.

Based on these findings, the study authors conclude…

I know science is for scientists.  And medicine is for medical professionals.

But to be of benefit in our health care system, science and medicine must reach the end consumer — people.  Regular, average, ordinary, everyday people.   People with feelings who are sometimes struggling to cope with a very real threat to their ability to live a quality life, or to live at all.

For those people, the words of science and medicine matter.  They help describe circumstances and set expectations.

Choosing words carefully can make a difference for people.…