Medical management update: Multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematologic malignancy characterized by abnormal proliferation of immunoglobulin-secreting plasma cells. Manifestations of MM may include anemia, osteolytic lesions, and renal dysfunction. Treatment for this disease chiefly consists of corticosteroids, bisphosphonates, chemotherapy, and hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. This medical management update will review recent clinical and therapeutic advances in the field of MM and highlight issues that are important to the oral health care provider.