Special problems in the management of elderly patients with multiple myeloma.

Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a neoplastic disease typical of the elderly. Many steps forward have been made in the characterization of patients, and new treatment strategies are available today. Clinical trials represent a major point in the definition of standard treatment, although they usually include fit patients, while frail patients are commonly excluded. Therefore, frail patients may receive treatments that may be too toxic, thus jeopardizing the beneficial effects of therapy. A careful patient assessment is crucial to better characterize patients and consequently to appropriately select treatment. Future trials testing novel agent-based therapies in different subsets of patients will shed light on this important issue and will allow patients to receive appropriate, tailored treatments.