Dr. Anderson on How the Definition of Myeloma Has Changed

Kenneth C. Anderson, MD, Giant of Cancer Care: Myeloma, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center, discusses how the definition of myeloma has changed. Anderson presented on diagnostic criteria and management of multiple myeloma at the 2016 NCCN Annual Conference.

With 7 new FDA-approved therapies in 2015 for myeloma, Anderson says it was a truly remarkable year. In addition to these new therapies, a changed definition of the disease led to revised NCCN guidelines.

In addition to tradition CRAB features–hypercalcemia, renal dysfunction, anemia and bone lesions–the definition of myeloma now includes other features, according to Anderson. Patients with more than 60% plasma cells, kappa/lambda free light chain ratio greater than 100 or bone lesions on sensitive imaging (MRI or PET CT scan) are all eligible for treatment now. As a result, fewer patients are now classified as having smoldering myeloma.

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