I was diagnosed a year and a half ago but went into remission after 8 months of RVD treatments. My oncologist in Boston, Dr. Paul Richardson, a world renown MM specialist, told me a SCT would be riskier for me than not having one. In fact, he told me that recent studies have shown that a SCT may delay a relapse, but doesn't appear to extend one's life. I continue to work full time as a systems analyst so for me having a SCT would also jeopardize my employment situation. As far as I'm concerned, if treatments can tame the MM without a SCT then he's better off...

I have been in Remission now for 8 months . I never had a stem cell transplant .

I didn't get the transplant and went i. full remission for 5 years

Thank you so much keknoblock! That is very encouraging. Best wishes for your continued remission !My husband is also on RVD, and his oncologist told him the same thing as your oncologist. It's ony been 7 weeks, but so far his numbers are. improving. I was worried as it seems like almost all of the people on this site have had a transplant. But the prep for the transplant seems gruelling,. so I'm glad we won't be doing that