Multiple myeloma: New staging systems for diagnosis, prognosis and response evaluation

S. Vincent Rajkumar, Francis Buadi

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

Multiple myeloma must be distinguished from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM), and several other closely related plasma-cell disorders. In recent years, new systems have emerged for diagnosis, staging, and risk stratification of myeloma. The criteria recommended are primarily derived from the International Myeloma Working Group, with certain updates and clarifications. The International Staging System (ISS) is the standard for staging of myeloma. However, for therapeutic purposes, a risk-stratification model is used to define high-risk patients who can benefit from novel therapeutic strategies. The International Myeloma Working Group uniform response criteria have been developed as the standard for response assessment in current and future clinical trials. The criteria incorporate the category 'very good partial response' (VGPR) which, given its importance in predicting outcome following therapy, should be reported in all trials; such reporting will also enable better comparisons between therapies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)665-680
Number of pages16
JournalBest Practice and Research: Clinical Haematology
Volume20
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2007

Keywords

  • myeloma
  • prognosis
  • response criteria
  • staging
  • therapy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Clinical Biochemistry

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