[konrad01Participant]

Hi everyone,

In my initial research into the possibilities facing me in 2011, I found the following material (see page 4 of the attachment):

Initial treatment for the majority of newly diagnosed myeloma patients involves
combinations of chemotherapy and chemotherapy-like drugs. These combinations,
which are given in relatively low doses, provide an effective way of treating myeloma.

However, a major draw back of chemotherapy is the inability to give high doses
safely. This is because high doses are very toxic to the blood forming stem cells in
the bone marrow. This results in blood cell production being severely affected, with
blood counts falling to dangerously low levels causing potentially life-threatening
problems.

High-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (HDT and ASCT),
provides a solution to this problem. This involves giving initial treatment called induction treatment followed by a high dose of chemotherapy to kill the myeloma cells, and then giving back the patient?s own (autologous) previously collected healthy stem cells. This effectively ?rescues? the patient?s bone marrow, allowing blood cell production to continue.

HDT and ASCT following induction treatment therefore has the ability to kill more
myeloma cells than would be possible with lower doses of chemotherapy. This
increases the likelihood of a longer remission and a better quality of life. It is worth
noting, however, that myeloma is a very individual disease and each patient?s
myeloma has its own distinct characteristics, which may affect treatment outcomes.

This treatment option is limited to younger and / [i]or fitter patients[/i]. There are no rigid age cut-offs but patients over the age of 65 ? 70 years old (i.e. older and / or less fit) would not normally be candidates. [i]This is primarily because the possible benefits are almost certainly outweighed by the potential risks to older and / or less fit patients.[/i]

I'm always up for a challenge, but I would appreciate it if I could have some specific goals.

Thanks,

John

[Author]

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