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Treatment and survival in myeloma related disorders
Dr. Paul Mellor, DECVIM
Before commencing treatment, a complete diagnostic work-up is strongly recommended. The goal in treating multiple myeloma is to improve quality of life, relieve symptoms and pain if present, and to prolong survival. Complete cure has not been reported. Complete remission (meaning the alleviation of clinical signs) can be achieved. In one report, the majority of cats responded to combination chemotherapy and these cats had a median survival time of 12 months (Mellor et al 2006) i.e. not dissimilar to some reports for the treatment of standard lymphoma. Disease control is usually eventually complicated by a tendency for myeloma cells to become resistant to anti-cancer drugs.
One ambition of this website is to see if this could act as a global focal point, the first of its kind, where collaborating referral veterinarians could take part in a randomized study to explore the best possible treatments for this rare disorder.
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Date Published: May 21, 2007 Paul Mellor ©
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