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Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma, also known as myeloma, is the third most common hematologic cancer (cancer of the blood). However, compared to more frequently occurring cancers (e.g., breast, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers), multiple myeloma is relative rare and accounts for only 1.6 percent of diagnoses each year. For 2018, the American Cancer Society estimates that 30,770 new cases of myeloma will be diagnosed in the U.S.1 Due to the less common occurrence of multiple myeloma, providers are less likely to diagnosis and treat these patients on a regular basis.

1. Siegel RL, Miller KD, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2018. CA: Cancer J Clin. 2018;68:7-30.

 

Changing Treatment Paradigms for Patients

ACCC has developed an educational initiative to raise awareness among cancer programs about treatment options for newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma who are ineligible for transplant.

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Community Oncology Knowledge Gaps in Multiple Myeloma Treatment

The goal of this work is to identify the knowledge and practice gaps among community oncology practitioners relative to the evolving treatment landscape of Multiple Myeloma, biomarker testing, side effect management, supportive care services, quality improvement programs, and other strategies.

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Multiple Myeloma Dispensing Models

The overall aim of this project is to analyze and summarize existing dispensing models and effective practices in the care of patients with multiple myeloma.

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Transplant Treatment Path

This educational initiative is aimed at improving provider communication to optimize the treatment of multiple myeloma patients in the community cancer center pre- and post-autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT).

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Featured Publications

Multidisciplinary Multiple Myeloma Care: Models of Quality Improvement
[Oncology Issues]

Alexandra Howson, PHD

The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) has supported QI initiatives for many years through its Visiting Experts Program. In 2020 ACCC offered QI programs designed to optimize care for patients with multiple myeloma. Via custom workshops, multidisciplinary team members from three cancer programs appraised their own challenges and opportunities to improve care and developed QI plans that were specific, measurable, and actionable over a six-month time frame. The QI time frame included workshop participation, baseline data reporting, progress calls with ACCC, and outcomes evaluation.

Thank you to our Cancer Program Members:

  • CalvertHealth Medical Center, Prince Frederick, MD
  • Central Care Cancer Center, Bolivar, MO
  • Holy Cross Hospital, Silver Spring, MD
 
Multidisciplinary Multiple Myeloma Care: Models of Effective Care Delivery

Multidisciplinary Multiple Myeloma Care: Models of Effective Care Delivery offers a convenient summary of recent updates in the management of this heterogeneous disease, including information on:

  • Diagnostic Criteria by the International Myeloma Working Group
  • Revised International Staging System
  • ASCO Clinical Practice Guideline Update: Role of Bone Modifying Agents in Multiple Myeloma

Plus, read how three cancer programs—a community-based comprehensive program, an academic medical center, and an NCI-designated program—are delivering multidisciplinary care to this patient population.

ACCC thanks the following member programs for their participation:

  • John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, New Jersey
  • Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
  • Yuma Regional Medical Center Cancer Center, Yuma, Arizona
 

Video Podcasts

  • Critical Conversation Strategies for Patients with AML  – [VIDEO PODCAST] Ep 37
    Jul 6, 2023

    Personalizing care goals to account for a patient’s values, preferences, or circumstances can make a significant difference in shared decision-making and treatment planning. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Melissa Kah Poh Loh, MBBCh, BAO, assistant professor of Geriatric Hematology and Oncology at the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Wilmot Cancer Institute about strategies to optimize critical conversations with patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

  • Strategies to Addressing Disparities in Patients with AML – [VIDEO PODCAST] Ep 35
    Jun 22, 2023

    While there are many factors why patients with acute myeloid leukemia are ineligible for allogeneic stem cell transplant, such as age, financial hurdles, or other comorbidities, these factors are often compounded by social determinants of health, which can act as a significant barrier to consolidation therapy and long-term remission for these patients. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Keri Maher, DO, Director of the Acute Leukemia Program, and assistant professor at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Massey Cancer Center about strategies to address these disparities and optimize care and treatment options for patients with acute myeloid leukemia who do not receive a transplant.

  • [VIDEO PODCAST] Ep 08: Shared Decision-Making in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
    Oct 28, 2021

    Caring for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) depends on many factors and can vary as much as the patients themselves.

  • [VIDEO PODCAST] Ep 04: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Navigating Uncertainty
    Jul 22, 2021
    Three clinicians discuss their experiences with difficult conversations on the relative risks and benefits around treatment decisions in this rapidly evolving environment.
  • [VIDEO PODCAST] Ep 02: Myeloma Care Strategies & COVID-19
    Jun 3, 2021

    Three specialists in multiple myeloma care share their experiences that may help other providers and patients move smoothly through this time of transition while maintaining high quality care.

On-Demand Webinars

Resource Library

Practice Guidelines
Patient Education and Support
Blogs/Webinars
Cancer Support Community (CSC)
Clinical Trial Support
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
  • The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Clinical Trial Support Center (CTSC) - Specialists are nurses specially trained in hematologic malignancies, clinical trials, and patient education/ support. Patients will be provided with a list of appropriate clinical trials to discuss with their treating physician.

    Patients will have direct access to ‘their’ LLS Clinical Trial Specialist for the duration of their search.Patients and caregivers can work one-on-one with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Clinical Trial Specialists who will personally assist them throughout the entire clinical-trial process, providing an additional resource to the healthcare team. LLS offers help for patients in understanding and identifying clinical trials and in connecting with clinical trial sites.
Organizations, Societies, and Foundations

Our Partner

Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation

Our Supporter

Amgen Oncology
Funding & support provided by Amgen Oncology