title: Long-term survival of a patient with multiple myeloma--a cure? A case report.
abstract: Multiple myeloma is a disease characterized by the proliferation of malignant plasma cells, the over-production of a monoclonal immunoglobulin (paraprotein) and the subsequent depression of the other normal immunoglobulins. Whereas many patients respond to treatment and enter a plateau phase of variable duration, these patients eventually die of their disease. This report describes a patient with Stage III multiple myeloma diagnosed in 1966 and now with documentation of prolonged disease-free survival and perhaps cure, with the patient presently alive and well without evidence of disease.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001797:Blood Protein Electrophoresis; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008558:Melphalan / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality*; D009194:Myeloma Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D009194:Myeloma Proteins; D012709:Serum Albumin; D008558:Melphalan; D011241:Prednisone