Clinical study of multiple myeloma and treatment responses in a tertiary care centre

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) evolves from Monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS), a premalignant clinical condition. Second to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, MM is the most common haematological malignancy. The aim of the study was to review the clinical profile and response of individuals treated for MM from this part of country.Methods: We evaluated data of patients with MM managed between 2013 and 2019 at a tertiary care cancer hospital in Rajamahenderi, India. Data regarding demographic variables, clinical features, disease characteristics and treatment details were collected and analysed.Results: Total of 54 patients with MM were managed. Mean age was 59.4 years. Males accounted for 63%. Bone pain (90%) was the most common symptom. Elevated serum creatinine was noted in 16.7% and M band in 42 (77.8%). X-ray of skull showed lytic lesions in 41 (75.9%). Mean haemoglobin value was 8.8±1.9 g/dl and serum calcium was 9.12 mg/dl. Majority of subjects, 44 (81.48%) belong to stage IIIA, 9 (16.67%) to stage IIIB, and 1.85% to stage IIA of Durie Salmon staging system. No response was noted in 17 (31.5%), 4 (7.4%) subjects had a progressive disease even on treatment, and 8 (14.8%) subjects had a very good partial response. Median survival of subjects belonging to DSS stage II was 17 months, IIIA was 11.037 months and stage IIIB was 17.463 months.Conclusions: MM has an early onset in India. Though MM is an incurable disease, many promising treatment options are there which lead to increase in survival. Early treatment helps in improving mortality rates, better quality of life and decreases disease burden.