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How long should you stay on first-line therapy, and what happens after for IgG myeloma?

The duration of first-line (induction) therapy varies by individual response and treatment plan. After induction therapy, many people with myeloma undergo an autologous stem cell transplant (SCT). Some may also receive consolidation Show Full Answer

How long should you stay on first-line therapy, and what happens after for IgG myeloma?

The duration of first-line (induction) therapy varies by individual response and treatment plan. After induction therapy, many people with myeloma undergo an autologous stem cell transplant (SCT). Some may also receive consolidation therapy—a few additional rounds of chemotherapy to eliminate remaining cancer cells—before moving to maintenance therapy.

The goal of induction therapy is to get the myeloma under control by reducing cancerous plasma cells and preventing complications. How does stem cell transplant (SCT) work, and what happens before it?

Before an SCT, you typically receive lymphodepletion—a round of chemotherapy (usually melphalan) that removes old cells and makes room for new stem cells. This aggressive treatment kills cancer cells but also destroys healthy blood cells, which is why new stem cells are needed.

After the chemotherapy preparation, the new stem cells are returned to your body through an infusion. These stem cells help your body rebuild healthy blood cells. You'll likely stay in the hospital for several weeks afterward so doctors can monitor how well the treatment is working and manage any side effects.

Some transplants are now done on an outpatient basis, though procedures may vary from what was done years ago.

 AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

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