Evaluation of Serial Bone X‐ray Examination in Multiple Myeloma

Abstract

Fifteen patients with multiple myeloma stage III were treated with a combination of cytostatics and plasmapheresis in a sequential trial running for 60 weeks. Thirteen patients showed clinical improvement and ten a reduction of their myeloma protein by at least 50%. Bone X‐ray examination was performed every 15 weeks. Progression of bone lesions was seen in one patient, whereas the radiographic picture was unchanged in the others. It is concluded that bone X‐ray, although essential in the diagnosis and staging of multiple myeloma, is not suitable for the monitoring of patients during treatment.