This report describes five subjects with endstage renal failure due to multiple myeloma. All of the patients died within seven months of commencing chronic peritoneal dialysis. Complications were frequent during the dialysis period. Our experience supports the opinion that patients with multiple myeloma and a high tumour cell mass should not be offered dialysis.
KyleR.A.Multiple myeloma: review of 869 cases. Mayo Clin Proc1975; 50: 29–40.
2.
JohnsonW.J., KyleR.A., DahlbergP.J.Dialysis in the treatment of multiple myeloma. Mayo Clin Proc1980: 55: 65–72.
3.
DurieB.G.M., SalmonS.E.A clinical staging system for multiple myeloma. Cancer1976; 36: 842–54.
4.
CohenH.J., RundlesR.W.Managing the complications of plasma cell myeloma. Arch Intern Med1975; 135: 177–84.
5.
LazarusH.M., AdelsteinD.J., HerzigR.H., SmithM.C.Long term survival of patients with multiple myeloma and acute renal failure at presentation. Am J Kid Dis1983; ii (5): 521–5.
LeechS.H., PoleskyH.F., ShapiroF.L.Chronic haemodialysis in myelomatosis. Ann Intern Med1972; 77: 239–42.
8.
YiumJ., Martinez-MaldonadoM., EknoyanG., SukiW.N.Peritoneal dialysis in the treatment of renal failure in multiple myeloma. South Med J1971; 64: 1403–5.
9.
LockJ.P., CastroG.A., PechetL.N., SnyderL.M.Haemodialysis in myelomatosis. Ann Intern Med1973; 78: 454.
10.
BoothL.J., MiniellyJ.A., SmithE.K.Acute renal failure in multiple myeloma. Can Med Assoc J1974; 111: 334–5.
11.
CowardR.A., MallickN.P., DelamoreI.W.Should patients with renal failure associated with myeloma be dialyzed?Br Med J1983; 287: 1575–8.
12.
MortonA.R., HolmesA.M., WaldekS.The kidney in myeloma. Br Med J1986; 292: 339–40.
