title: Conventional therapy and approach to management.
abstract: The treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) has undergone major changes in the last decade. There is now an array of therapeutic options, including autologous stem-cell transplantation, non-myeloablative (mini) allogeneic transplantation, and new drugs such as thalidomide and bortezomib. There is also an awareness that there are subsets of patients with MM who have not gained much from the recent advances, including patients with certain adverse prognostic factors (high-risk MM). In this article, we outline our approach to the diagnosis, risk stratification and treatment of MM with a focus on conventional therapy. We incorporate a risk-based strategy for the treatment of MM that also takes into account the eligibility of the patient to undergo stem-cell transplantation. We also outline the role and current indications for the use of new active agents in this disease.
authors: Division of Hematology and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. rajkumar.vincent@mayo.edu
authors: S Vincent
authors: SV
authors: Rajkumar
authors: Robert A
authors: RA
authors: Kyle
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019468:Disease Management; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D016879:Salvage Therapy / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents