Multiple myeloma: relationship between survival and cellular morphology.

Myeloma cells in bone marrow aspirates from 121 patients with multiple myeloma at time of diagnosis were evaluated, by assigning them into morphological categories. Cox's model was used to calculate the coefficients for total myeloma cells and "plasmablasts" in respect to survival. Applying these coefficients, the Multiple Myeloma Cellular Score (MMCS) was calculated. MMCS significantly divides the patients into three stages. In fact, there are significant differences both between mean survivals (P less than .001) and between survival curves (P less than .00001). There is also a significant correlation (P less than .00001) between the calculated MMCS and survival in the whole patient group.