Myeloma: update on supportive care strategies

Curr Treat Options Oncol. 2003 Jun;4(3):247-58. doi: 10.1007/s11864-003-0026-7.

Abstract

Despite substantial innovations in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), it remains an incurable disease. In addition, it is debatable whether the progress in survival is attributable simply to the therapy used to destroy the tumor clone or if it is also because of therapy designed to ameliorate disease complications. Supportive therapy has evolved greatly alongside general supportive measures used in hematologic malignancies (such as new antibiotics, antifungal agents, and growth factors) in addition to better indications in complementary treatments such as radiotherapy, dialysis, and surgery. However, in MM, several specific adjuvant therapies have also been introduced (eg, bisphosphonates and erythroid-stimulating factors), which have conferred a key role to supportive therapy in the general treatment of patients with MM.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
  • Multiple Myeloma* / complications
  • Multiple Myeloma* / diagnosis
  • Multiple Myeloma* / therapy
  • Palliative Care
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Stem Cell Transplantation

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins