A promoted investigation into the second hematologic malignancy, multiple myeloma. Work activity is reduced and abandoned: decline in production capacity.
Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematologic malignancy. This pathology not only involves a negative impact on a physical and psychological level, but is characterized by economic difficulties for patients and caregivers . There are reduction and abandonment of work activity, loss of working days and decline in production capacity. That’s over 8,000 euros in indirect costs for the patient annually. In addition, there are direct health and non-health costs of more than 2,000 euros per year for assistance, medicines and specialist visits. 53.1% of patients and 24.5% of caregivers are forced to leave their jobs.
There is talk of a survey carried out by Ail, the Italian association against leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. The purpose of the study is to provide thinking tools for clinicians and institutions in order to optimize the management of multiple myeloma. A way to bring quality to the life of patients and their families. Every year there are 6,000 new cases and over 35,000 people live with the disease and are being treated. This is why Ail has promoted this important survey.
The survival of myeloma, which is still considered an incurable disease, has changed significantly in the last 5-10 years, increasing three to five times. The patients we started treating 10 years ago have survivals of 8 to 10 years. Meanwhile, research has progressed and therapies have improved even further, with complete responses ranging from 20 to 70%; what will be the survival that we have managed to obtain with the results of the last two-three years we will see in 10 years.
Mario Boccadoro, University of Turin, vice president European Myeloma Network (EMN)
- Multiple myeloma, 10 thousand euro costs for patients and caregivers (ansa.it)
