title: Improvement in survival of older adults with multiple myeloma: results of an updated period analysis of SEER data.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Treatment of multiple myeloma has changed significantly over the past several years with clinical trials reporting superior survival results using newer agents. Previous work has shown that the survival rate has improved for younger, but not older, patients with myeloma. Here, we update survival estimates for patients with myeloma in the early 21st century to determine whether continued improvement can be seen on a population level and whether or not it now extends to older patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using period analysis to examine data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, we estimate changes in the 5- and 10-year relative survival rates (RSRs) from 1998-2002 to 2003-2007.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 5- and 10-year RSRs have improved for patients with myeloma overall, from 32.8% and 15% in 1998-2002 to 40.3% and 20.8%, respectively, in 2003-2007. The greatest improvements were observed for patients aged 15-44 years, with 5- and 10-year RSRs reaching >70% and ~50%, respectively, but improvements were also seen for patients aged >70 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, survival continues to improve for patients with myeloma, including older patients, suggesting that newer treatment options continue to make a population-wide impact.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Epidemiology & Aging Research, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Dianne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pulte
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gondos
authors.forename: Hermann
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brenner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D018426:SEER Program; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology