ABSTRACT
Before the introduction of melphalan in 1958,1 the average survival of myeloma patients was only a few months. Alexanian et al.2 in 1969 first published the results of treatment with oral melphalan and prednisolone (MP), using different dosage regimens with or without prednisolone, and demonstrated prolongation of survival to between 17 and 24 months. Although there are now several promising new approaches to treatment, chemotherapy remains the mainstay of treatment in multiple myeloma (MM). Many patients will also require radiotherapy at some stage in their disease. This chapter will review the use of standard-dose chemotherapy, including the use of steroids and interferon, and will discuss options for management in different patient groups.
