Radiation therapy in multiple myeloma.

In this retrospective study of 76 patients with myeloma, the indications for radiation therapy are reviewed and its value analyzed. Eleven patients presented with a "solitary plasmacytoma" and 65 patients presented with disseminated disease. Radiation therapy is successful in both the palliation of pain (81% of cases) and in producing long-term remission and possibly cure in solitary lesions.