Ten-year survivor with multiple myeloma in first complete remission following treatment with conventional chemotherapy. Case report and a review of the literature.

A 62-year-old woman with multiple myeloma, who has been in complete remission (CR) for 10 years, is reported. The patient was treated with conventional chemotherapy, including nitrosourea derivatives. Five patients with myeloma, including the present case, who have survived for 10 years or more in CR and on whom detailed clinical descriptions were published, are reviewed. Their disease condition represented "a cure" or "a state extremely close to cure". The review indicates the following favorable prognostic factors common to these patients: age < or =65 years and a rapid response to treatment. Progressive bone destruction and/or lytic changes at disease onset is perhaps not a bad prognostic factor in myeloma patients with excellent outcome. Copyright 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel