title: Improved long-term survival in multiple myeloma. Finnish Leukaemia Group.
abstract: 50 patients were treated for multiple myeloma with 5-drug combination chemotherapy between Jan 1979 and Feb 1980. After 8 years 12 patients (24%) were alive. The relative age-adjusted survival rate was 27%. The risk of death was constant during the follow-up, and active myelomatosis was still the main cause of death during the 8th yr. Thus the treatment is not curative. All 7 long-term survivors initially at stages II or III had at least a 75% response to the primary treatment. The other 5 patients were initially in an early stage (I) of their disease. Acute leukaemia has developed in 2 patients.
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D008130:Lomustine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008558:Melphalan / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality*; D011379:Prognosis; D012074:Remission Induction; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D014750:Vincristine; D008130:Lomustine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D008558:Melphalan; D008775:Methylprednisolone