High-Risk Smoldering Myeloma: Perspective on watchful monitoring

In a 2008 paper, Dispenzieri and colleagues at the Mayo Clinic proposed a risk stratification system for patients with smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) based upon the presence of 3 risk factors – serum M-protein ≥3 g/dL, bone marrow plasma cell percentage ≥10%, and a FLC ratio (κ to λ) of either ≤0.125 or ≥8 [1]. The patient in this vignette has all 3 risk factors, classifying him as high-risk, with an associated median time to progression (TTP) of 1.9 years. This is significan tly worse than a patient with intermediate-risk (median TTP 5.1 years) or low-risk (10 years) disease.
Source: Seminars in Oncology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Source Type: research