[Multiple Myeloma - Current Status in Diagnostic Testing and Therapy].

Background Multiple myeloma is a haematological blood cancer of the bone marrow and is classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a plasma cell neoplasm. In multiple myeloma, normal plasma cells transform into malignant myeloma cells and produce large quantities of an abnormal immunoglobulin called monoclonal protein or M protein. This ultimately causes multiple myeloma symptoms such as bone damage or kidney problems. The annual worldwide incidence of multiple myeloma is estimated to be 6 - 7/100,000 and accounts for 1% of all cancer. In Germany, there are about 6,000 cases of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma per annum. In the current era of new agents, such as immunomodulatory drugs and proteasome inhibitors and antibodies, enormous progress has been achieved in the therapy of multiple myeloma. In orthopaedics, it is essential to be able to recognise the of alarming symptoms of multiple myeloma in clinical routine and to be aware of basic diagnostic features to confirm this disease. Surgical treatment of myeloma-related bone lesions - such as stabilisation of pathological fractures - is an important domain of tumour orthopaedic surgery. Methods A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed using the keywords "multiple myeloma" and "diagnostic" or "therapy". This served to evaluate the available primary and secondary literature on the current status of the diagnostic testing and therapy of multiple myeloma. Systematic reviews, meta-analyses and clinical studies as well as international recommendations in therapy were included until the spring of 2016. Results There are now very sensitive screening methods for the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. Accurate diagnosis is generally based on several factors, including physical evaluation, patient history, symptoms, and diagnostic testing results. The standards for initial diagnostic tests are determined by blood and urine tests as well as a bone marrow biopsy and skeletal imaging, such as X-rays, CT scans and MRI scans. Major and minor criteria are required to confirm the diagnosis of multiple myeloma and help to determine the classification and staging of multiple myeloma, and whether it is smoldering myeloma (asymptomatic), symptomatic myeloma, or a monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Multiple myeloma treatment options have increased significantly over the last 10 years. Standard of basic myeloma treatment consists of high dose chemotherapy in combination with autologous stem cell transplantation. Several factors may determine multiple myeloma treatment, such as age and general health, results of laboratory and cytogenetic (genomic) tests as well as symptoms and disease complications. After evaluation of these factors, an individual and often multimodal treatment plan is created and implemented in interdisciplinary cooperation. Conventional treatment options have to be evaluated for older patients (> 70 - 75 years), who are not eligible for high dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation due to their age and/or severe comorbidities. It is essential to include supportive therapy in the integral treatment concept, in order to control pain or retain function or mobility. Supportive drugs such as bisphosphonates but also radiation therapy and orthopaedic surgery may be required in order to manage complications of the disease as well as side effects of treatment. Conclusion Current studies show promising results in the treatment of multiple myeloma, due to new agents such as immunomodulatory drugs, proteasome inhibitors and antibodies, which may improve prognosis and survival rate among myeloma patients in the future. However treatment algorithms have become more complex and expensive.