title: [How long does a myeloma patient currently wait for the diagnosis in Hungary?].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Long delays with the diagnosis of myeloma are common. So far there has not been a comprehensive study on this issue in Hungary.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the authors was to analyze the waiting time from their first symptoms to the diagnosis of myeloma.
  
  
  METHODS
  193 myeloma patients treated in one large tertiary referral hematology centre in Hungary were included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median time was 4.1 months (0-35.4) until diagnosis, and 5.2 months (0-35.4) until treatment. The delay was longer in patients with better prognosis (early stage, low cytogenetic risk), in nonsecretory disease and in 5 patients with amyloidosis. There was no significant relationship between the delay and the survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering the results of the present study and earlier literature data, the authors look for possibilities to improve the diagnostic delay. They think that the key to an earlier diagnosis is in the hands of the primary care physicians as they see the patients first and decide whether it is necessary to refer them to further test and to which specialty. Helping them with diagnostic algorithms, clear referring pathways, fast tracking patients with urgent problems, and making serum electrophoresis universally available in the primary care could help to reduce the time that myeloma patients spend waiting.
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis Egyetem, Általános Orvostudományi Kar III. Belgyógyászati Klinika Budapest Kútvölgyi út 4. 1125.
authors.forename: Gergely
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Varga
authors.affiliation: Egyesített Szent István és Szent László Kórház-Rendelőintézet Hematológiai és Őssejt-transzplantációs Osztály Budapest.
authors.forename: Gábor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mikala
authors.affiliation: Országos Vérellátó Szolgálat Budapest.
authors.forename: Hajnalka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Andrikovics
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis Egyetem, Általános Orvostudományi Kar III. Belgyógyászati Klinika Budapest Kútvölgyi út 4. 1125 Egyesített Szent István és Szent László Kórház-Rendelőintézet Hematológiai és Őssejt-transzplantációs Osztály Budapest.
authors.forename: Tamás
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Masszi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000473:pathology; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D017353:Gene Deletion; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D013997:Time Factors; D061665:Time-to-Treatment; D014178:Translocation, Genetic
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007136:Immunoglobulins
keywords: diagnostic delay; help-seeking; késői diagnózis; multiple myeloma; myeloma multiplex; orvoshoz fordulás