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Real members of MyMyelomaTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Hello everyone, I am second guessing myself as to which treatment to choose. I have Karyotype-hyperdiploid 55% plasma cell Myeloma .

A MyMyelomaTeam Member asked a question 💭
Raleigh, NC

My PET scan has not shown any other issues in my body.
I was wondering if anyone has opted to have the targeted therapy or any other type of treatment that did not involve the stem cell transplant.
For what I have been reading it seems they both have the same outcome.
I am just concerned if I start with the less aggressive therapy now and it does not work , it might be too late to do the stem cell transplant later.
Accept any thoughts, suggestions and experiences.
Thanks for all your help.

June 21
 · 
Be the first to react
A MyMyelomaTeam Member

I was diagnosed in March '24 at age 67 with stage 3 MM, I chose no SCT and went into remission in 3 months followed by maintenance and have stayed there. I got off all meds last week and am feeling great.

June 24
MyMyelomaTeam

What a thoughtful and important question to be asking — it shows how carefully you're approaching your treatment decisions. The concern about "missing the window" for a stem cell transplant is something many MyMyelomaTeam members have wrestled with too.

Here's what's generally understood about treatment sequencing for Show Full Answer

What a thoughtful and important question to be asking — it shows how carefully you're approaching your treatment decisions. The concern about "missing the window" for a stem cell transplant is something many MyMyelomaTeam members have wrestled with too.

Here's what's generally understood about treatment sequencing for myeloma: Your treatment plan is shaped by several personal factors, including:

- How your myeloma responds to initial therapy
- Your age and overall health
- Your personal priorities
- Whether you're eligible for a stem cell transplant upfront

Doctors now also use genetic and molecular testing to personalize treatment, helping identify which therapies are most likely to work for your specific form of myeloma. Regarding your concern about timing — stem cell transplants are a long, multi-step process, and some leading cancer centers actually recommend discussing postponement in certain situations. This suggests the window isn't always as rigid as it might feel.

That said, autologous stem cell transplant (using your own cells) remains a standard treatment for newly diagnosed myeloma in many cases, and it can keep myeloma away for several years. The most important step is having a very direct conversation with your oncologist about:

- Whether stem cell transplant eligibility could be preserved if you try other therapies first
- What genetic/molecular markers in your specific myeloma suggest about treatment response
- Clinical trial options that might be relevant to your situation

No one here can make this call for you, but your medical team can help map out a sequenced plan that keeps your options open. You're clearly asking exactly the right questions! 💪

June 21

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