TURKISH JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2004 , Vol 19 , Num 1
THE COMPARISON OF THREE DIFFERENT CONVENTIONAL CHEMOTHERAPY PROTOCOLS IN MULTIPLE MYELOMA: SINGLE CENTER EXPERIENCE
Altuntaş F.1, Kaynar L.2, Eser B.1, Sarı İ.1, Kaplan B.3, Özkan M.4, Çetin M.1, Ünal A.1
1 EÜTF, Dedeman Hastanesi, Hematoloji-Onkoloji BD, Kayseri
2 EÜTF, Dedeman Hastanesi, İç Hastalıkları ABD, Kayseri
3 EÜTF, Dedeman Hastanesi, Radyasyon Onkoloji ABD, Kayseri
4 EÜTF, Dedeman Hastanesi, Onkoloji BD, Kayseri
The aim of this study was to present the treatment outcome and follow-up results in patients with multiple myolama treated with three conventional regimens. The data of 85 patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma and followed in our department between 1993 and 2003 were reviewed retrospectively.

Fifty-four patients were male and 31 were female and the median age was 58 years (range 39-80). Four patients were stage I, 41 were stage II, and 40 were stage III. Thirty-eight patients received the MP regimen (melphalan and prednisolone), 32 received the VAD regimen (vincristine, adriamycine, and dexamethasone), and 15 received the VMCP regimen (vincristine, melphalan, cyclophosphamide, and prednisolone) as first-line chemotherapy.

Objective response was obtained in 32 patients (37.6%) and treatment failure was detected in 53 (62.4%) patients. According to treatment group objective response was 60%, 47%, and 21% in patients receiving VMCP, VAD and MP respectively. The median follow up period was 12 months (range: 1-133). The Two-year overall survival rate was 74.8% and progression free survival (PFS) rate was 27.7%. However, there was no overall survival advantage among the three different conventional treatment regimens. The One-year PFS rate was significantly superior in patients receiving the VAD regimen (VAD vs MP; p=.016 and VAD vs VMCP; p=.009).

In conclusion, VAD may be the prefered treatment regimen in patients with multiple myeloma as a first-line treatment. Keywords : Multiple myeloma, chemotherapy, treatment