The European Myeloma Network provides recommendations for the management of the most common complications of
multiple myeloma. Whole body low-dose computed tomography is more sensitive than conventional radiography in depicting osteolytic disease and thus we recommend it as the novel standard for the detection of lytic lesions in myeloma (grade 1A). Myeloma patients with adequate renal function and
bone disease at diagnosis should be treated with
zoledronic acid or
pamidronate (grade 1A). Symptomatic patients without lytic lesions on conventional radiography can be treated with
zoledronic acid (grade 1B), but its advantage is not clear for patients with no bone involvement on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. In asymptomatic myeloma,
bisphosphonates are not recommended (grade 1A).
Zoledronic acid should be given continuously, but it is not clear if patients who achieve at least a very good partial response benefit from its continuous use (grade 1B). Treatment with erythropoietic-stimulating agents may be initiated in patients with persistent symptomatic
anemia (
hemoglobin <10g/dL) in whom other causes of
anemia have been excluded (grade 1B). Erythropoietic agents should be stopped after 6-8 weeks if no adequate
hemoglobin response is achieved. For renal impairment,
bortezomib-based regimens are the current standard of care (grade 1A). For the management of treatment-induced
peripheral neuropathy,
drug modification is needed (grade 1C). Vaccination against
influenza is recommended; vaccination against streptococcus
pneumonia and hemophilus
influenza is appropriate, but efficacy is not guaranteed due to suboptimal immune response (grade 1C). Prophylactic
aciclovir (or
valacyclovir) is recommended for patients receiving
proteasome inhibitors, autologous or
allogeneic transplantation (grade 1A).