Autologous stem-cell transplantation for multiple myeloma: a Brazilian institution experience in 15 years of follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the 5-year post-transplant survival of patients with multiple myeloma. METHODS: A retrospective study in patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma submitted to autologous bone marrow transplantation at a Brazilian institution, during the period of 1993 to 2007. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients were evaluated with a median age of 55 years. Survival in 5 years was 75% (2.4 to 60 months). Statistical analysis demonstrated statistical significance for the applied grade of response prior to treatment with autologous bone marrow transplantation (p = 0.01). There was no statistical significance for clinical staging or time of diagnosis (before or after the year 2000). CONCLUSION: Experience in autologous bone marrow transplantation for multiple myeloma at a Brazilian institution demonstrated an evolution consistent with that of medical literature and highlighted the importance of a response to treatment prior to transplantation in the survival of these patients.