If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with myeloma stage III, you probably have many questions. Why was the condition classified as stage III? What does that mean? What myeloma symptoms are common with myeloma stage III? How does that affect my treatment options? What are the likely outcomes for people with myeloma stage III?

What Is Myeloma Stage III?
Most doctors use one of two methods to determine a myeloma stage: the Durie-Salmon staging system or the newer International Staging System (ISS). Either way, myeloma is classified as stage I, stage II, or stage III.

"The staging systems try to get at how much myeloma is around," says Guido Tricot, MD, PhD, director of the Utah Blood and Marrow Transplant and Myeloma Program at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City.

Since the higher the stage, the more advanced the disease, people who are diagnosed with myeloma stage III have a rather advanced form of the disease and usually suffer from a number of myeloma symptoms. It is important to know the stage of your disease so you and your doctor can develop an appropriate treatment plan.

What Does Myeloma Stage III Mean?
According to the Durie-Salmon system, myeloma stage is based on the following: levels of monoclonal immunoglobulin (a marker found in the blood that indicates how many multiple myeloma plasma cells are at work), number of bone lesions, hemoglobin level (a measure of red blood cells), and blood calcium level.

With the Durie-Salmon system, doctors diagnose myeloma stage III if the following conditions are met:


The ISS, which is based on two blood test results — beta 2-microglobulin and albumin — is thought to be more sensitive than the Durie-Salmon system. Using the ISS, you are considered to have myeloma stage III if your beta 2-microglobulin is 5.5 mg/dL or greater.

How Is Myeloma Stage III Treated?
Treatment for myeloma stage III depends on a number of factors, including myeloma symptoms, the results of other diagnostic tests, and decisions made between you and your doctor. It may include chemotherapy drugs, radiation therapy, or both, and can also involve high doses of chemotherapy followed by stem cell transplantation.

In addition to treatments aimed at eliminating the myeloma, most people require treatment for other symptoms, including kidney problems, infection, anemia (low red blood cell count), thinning of bones, and high blood calcium. Medications and other therapies can be used to treat these problems, and your doctor will help you decide on the best course for your individual symptoms.

What Is the Prognosis for Myeloma Stage III?
When determining the probable outcome for people with myeloma stage III, doctors carefully consider the stage of the disease as well as the patient's specific symptoms and diagnostic test results. Using the ISS staging system, the median survival time for people with myeloma stage III is estimated to be 29 months. But remember that this number is just an average, and with current treatments, many people are living much longer.