Imagine a world where a multiple myeloma diagnosis no longer meant facing a life expectancy measured in just months, but in years—many years, filled with significant milestones.
Key Takeaways
- Median overall survival for multiple myeloma patients diagnosed between 2013-2019 is 72.3 months according to SEER data
- 5-year relative survival rate for multiple myeloma is 59.8% for patients diagnosed 2014-2020 per American Cancer Society
- Median OS of 124 months for transplant-eligible patients in the era of novel agents from IMF data
- Median PFS of 18.1 months with bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone (VMP) in VISTA trial for NDMM non-transplant
- PFS at 3 years is 56% with daratumumab-VMP in ALCYONE trial
- Median PFS of 20.6 months with carfilzomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (KRd) in ASPIRE trial for RRMM
- Median ISS stage I survival is 61.1 months vs stage III 29.9 months per original ISS
- R-ISS stage I 5-year OS 82% vs stage III 40% in 2015 validation cohort
- Median OS for ISS stage II is 44.2 months in novel agent era
- Median OS 108 months for patients <65 years with ASCT in IFM trials
- 5-year OS 42% for patients aged 75+ vs 68% <65 per SEER 2015-2019
- Median OS 34 months for high-risk cytogenetics (del17p, t4;14, t14;16)
- Median OS 82 months with VRd + ASCT in transplant-eligible <70 years
- 4-year OS 71% with daratumumab-VMP quadruplet in elderly NDMM ALCYONE
- Median PFS 31 months KRd continuous vs 20 months Rd in transplant-ineligible
Modern treatments have greatly improved multiple myeloma survival rates over time.
Overall Survival Statistics
- Median overall survival for multiple myeloma patients diagnosed between 2013-2019 is 72.3 months according to SEER data
- 5-year relative survival rate for multiple myeloma is 59.8% for patients diagnosed 2014-2020 per American Cancer Society
- Median OS of 124 months for transplant-eligible patients in the era of novel agents from IMF data
- 10-year OS rate of 44% for standard-risk myeloma patients post-ASCT
- Median OS improved from 29.4 months (1990s) to 62.1 months (2010s) per Mayo Clinic study
- OS at 3 years is 82% for newly diagnosed myeloma with VRd induction
- Median OS of 82.8 months for patients with IgG myeloma subtype
- 5-year OS rate of 57.2% for localized myeloma vs 51.1% distant stage per SEER 2015-2019
- Median OS of 5.3 years for African American patients vs 4.8 years for whites
- OS probability at 5 years is 55% with bortezomib-based regimens in elderly
- Median OS of 136 months for patients achieving CR post-induction
- 7-year OS rate of 50% for transplant-ineligible NDMM with Rd continuous
- Median OS of 43 months for relapsed/refractory myeloma post-lenalidomide
- 3-year OS of 70% in high-dose melphalan + ASCT arm of IFM 2009 trial
- OS at 8 years is 41% for patients with del(17p) despite modern therapy
- Median OS of 96 months for R-ISS stage I patients diagnosed 2011-2018
- 5-year OS improved to 61% from 34% between 2000-2019 per Swedish registry
- Median OS of 75 months for patients over 75 years with Dara-VMP
- 10-year OS rate of 37% for NDMM with autologous stem cell transplant
- OS hazard ratio 0.72 for quadruplet vs triplet therapy in ALCYONE trial
- Median OS of 53 months for extramedullary disease at diagnosis
- 4-year OS of 68% with isatuximab + Pd in RRMM per ICARIA-MM
- Median OS of 112 months for hyperdiploid myeloma patients
- 5-year OS rate of 64% for females vs 55% males per SEER 2016-2020
- OS at 2 years is 91% with VRd in transplant-eligible NDMM from SWOG S0777
- Median OS of 47 months for t(4;14) positive patients
- 6-year OS of 52% post-maintenance lenalidomide in CALGB 100104
- Median OS of 125 months for patients <65 years with standard risk
- 3-year OS rate of 78% with Dara-VRd in GRIFFIN trial
- OS probability at 10 years is 28% for R-ISS stage III
Overall Survival Statistics Interpretation
We are witnessing a story of remarkable scientific progress where a once nearly uniformly fatal diagnosis is becoming a chronic disease for many, yet the tale is punctuated by stark inequalities where a patient’s survival is still heavily dictated by their age, race, genetic risk, and, crucially, their timely access to the latest quadruplet and monoclonal antibody therapies.
Progression-Free Survival Statistics
- Median PFS of 18.1 months with bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone (VMP) in VISTA trial for NDMM non-transplant
- PFS at 3 years is 56% with daratumumab-VMP in ALCYONE trial
- Median PFS of 20.6 months with carfilzomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (KRd) in ASPIRE trial for RRMM
- 12-month PFS rate of 86.9% with daratumumab-VRd in GRIFFIN trial for transplant-eligible NDMM
- Median PFS of 30.4 months with VRd induction followed by ASCT and lenalidomide maintenance in SWOG S0777
- PFS hazard ratio 0.56 with isatuximab-pomalidomide-dex (Isa-Pd) vs Pd in ICARIA-MM
- Median PFS of 11.9 months with lenalidomide-dexamethasone (Rd) in MM-009/010 trials for RRMM
- 18-month PFS of 68% with quadruplet Dara-KRd in PERSEUS trial NDMM
- Median PFS of 16.8 months with pomalidomide-dex in IFM 2010-03 trial RRMM
- PFS at 24 months is 82.9% with D-VRd vs 74.3% VRd in PERSEUS
- Median PFS of 43 months with continuous Rd in FIRST trial transplant-ineligible NDMM
- 6-month PFS rate of 71.6% with selinexor + bortezomib-dex in BOSTON trial
- Median PFS of 22.4 months with elotuzumab-lenalidomide-dex (Elo-Rd) in ELOQUENT-2
- PFS at 1 year is 88% post-ASCT with bortezomib maintenance in HOVON-65/GMMG-HD4
- Median PFS of 28.6 months with daratumumab-Rd in MAIA trial elderly NDMM
- 36-month PFS of 57.9% with teclistamab in CARTITUDE-1 for RRMM
- Median PFS of 13.3 months with Pd in ICARIA-MM control arm
- PFS hazard ratio 0.42 with cilta-cel vs standard in CARTITUDE-4 NDMM
- Median PFS of 34.2 months with KRd + ASCT in FORTE trial
- 12-month PFS of 92.2% with D-VMP in ALCYONE
- Median PFS of 19.2 months with ixazomib-Rd in TOURMALINE MM1 RRMM
- PFS at 18 months is 51% with RVd in transplant-ineligible from MAIA-like
- Median PFS of 67.9 months with Dara-VRd induction in GRIFFIN post-ASCT
- 24-week PFS rate of 89.7% with belantamab mafodotin in DREAMM-2
- Median PFS of 7.5 months with Vd in POLLUX control for RRMM
- 30-month PFS of 47.5% with Elo-Rd in ELOQUENT-2
- Median PFS of 25.7 months with D-Vd in CASTOR trial RRMM
Progression-Free Survival Statistics Interpretation
While these numbers reveal a clear and steady march toward turning myeloma into a chronic condition, they also serve as a humbling reminder that progress is measured not just in months gained, but in the relentless pursuit of turning today’s remarkable response rates into tomorrow’s durable cures.
Survival by Patient Factors
- Median OS 108 months for patients <65 years with ASCT in IFM trials
- 5-year OS 42% for patients aged 75+ vs 68% <65 per SEER 2015-2019
- Median OS 34 months for high-risk cytogenetics (del17p, t4;14, t14;16)
- OS HR 1.45 for males vs females in large US cohort
- Median survival 28 months with renal failure (CrCl<30) at diagnosis
- 3-year OS 85% for standard-risk vs 60% high-risk post-ASCT
- Median OS 62 months for African Americans vs 55 months Caucasians adjusted
- Survival reduced by 20 months with extramedullary plasmacytomas
- 10-year OS 50% for patients with hyperdiploidy vs 30% gain(1q)
- Median OS 48 months for obese patients (BMI>30) NDMM
- PFS shorter by 12 months in frail elderly per IMWG frailty index
- OS 72 months median for IgA vs 68 months IgG subtype
- 5-year OS 55% with anemia (Hb<10g/dL) vs 65% without
- Median survival 40 months with high LDH (>UNL) at diagnosis
- OS HR 1.8 for smokers in myeloma cohort studies
- 7-year OS 45% for diabetic comorbid patients vs 58% non-diabetic
- Median PFS 22 months del(17p) vs 38 months standard risk
- Survival 15% lower in rural vs urban residence per registry data
- Median OS 55 months with bone disease (≥3 lesions) vs 75 without
- 4-year OS 70% ECOG 0-1 vs 50% ECOG 2+ performance status
- Median survival 36 months gain(1q) high-level amplification
- OS improved 18 months with insurance coverage in US disparities study
- 5-year OS 60% beta-2 microglobulin <3.5 mg/L vs 40% >5.5
- Median PFS 15 months t(4;14) despite intensified therapy
- Survival HR 2.1 for age >80 vs <60 in transplant-ineligible
- 3-year OS 78% albumin >3.5 g/dL vs 62% low albumin ISS factor
Survival by Patient Factors Interpretation
This stark collection of numbers paints a clear, human portrait: survival in myeloma is not a single statistic but a complex equation where the final sum is profoundly shaped by the biology we bring, the bodies we inhabit, the resources we can access, and the sheer luck of our genetic draw.
Survival by Staging Systems
- Median ISS stage I survival is 61.1 months vs stage III 29.9 months per original ISS
- R-ISS stage I 5-year OS 82% vs stage III 40% in 2015 validation cohort
- Median OS for ISS stage II is 44.2 months in novel agent era
- R-ISS stage II median PFS 36 months vs stage I 52 months in CASSIOPEIA
- 3-year OS 91% for R-ISS I vs 56% for R-ISS III in transplant-eligible
- Median survival for Durie-Salmon stage IIIA is 48 months vs IIIB 28 months
- ISS stage I median OS 93 months in era of Rev/Dex + ASCT
- R-ISS high-risk (III) median OS 35.9 months post-2015 diagnosis
- SLiM CRAB criteria high tumor burden median OS 42 months
- Median PFS for R-ISS II 28 months with VRD-based therapy
- ISS stage III 5-year survival 28% vs 65% stage I per SEER linked data
- Revised ISS stage I OS at 5 years 81.9% in European cohort
- Median OS 52 months for stage II DS staging with renal impairment
- R-ISS III median survival 43 months in high LDH subgroup
- ISS I/II combined median PFS 32 months post-ASCT maintenance
- 10-year OS for R-ISS I 60% vs 15% R-ISS III in long-term follow-up
- Median OS 67 months for low-risk by FISH vs 36 high-risk ISS adjusted
- Stage IIIB DS median survival 24 months in pre-novel era update
- R-ISS stage II 3-year PFS 65% with quadruplet induction
- ISS stage I survival rate 70% at 7 years with bortezomib induction
- Median OS R-ISS I 125 months vs III 36 months in GMMG cohort
- PFS for high cytogenetic risk within ISS II 18 months median
- 5-year OS 75% R-ISS I elderly NDMM with D-VMP
- Median survival stage I DS 72 months in modern registries
- R-ISS adjusted OS HR 2.2 for stage III vs I in meta-analysis
- Median PFS 45 months ISS I post KRd ASCT in FORTE
Survival by Staging Systems Interpretation
This stark statistical chasm between stages, where a myeloma diagnosis can feel like either a manageable marathon or a desperate sprint, underscores the brutal truth that early detection and accurate risk stratification are not just medical jargon—they are the difference between measuring survival in years versus decades.
Survival by Treatment Modalities
- Median OS 82 months with VRd + ASCT in transplant-eligible <70 years
- 4-year OS 71% with daratumumab-VMP quadruplet in elderly NDMM ALCYONE
- Median PFS 31 months KRd continuous vs 20 months Rd in transplant-ineligible
- 36-month OS 84% Dara-Rd vs 68% Rd in MAIA trial
- Median OS not reached at 5 years with lenalidomide maintenance post-ASCT
- PFS HR 0.48 daratumumab-VRd vs VRd in PERSEUS NDMM
- 12-month PFS 77% selinexor-Vd vs 34% Vd in BOSTON RRMM
- Median OS 47.6 months teclistamab vs 34.3 months SOC in Majestea-1
- 5-year PFS 48% bortezomib maintenance post-ASCT HOVON-65
- OS HR 0.53 cilta-cel vs SOC in CARTITUDE-4 high-risk NDMM
- Median PFS 29.6 months Elo-Rd vs 10.9 Rd ELOQUENT-2 RRMM
- 30-month OS 79% D-Vd vs 63% Vd CASTOR RRMM
- Median survival doubled with ASCT vs no transplant in 65-70 yo
- PFS 20.6 months carfilzomib-Rd ASPIRE vs 15.6 Rd
- 48-month PFS 65.2% Isa-Pd vs 37.2% Pd ICARIA-MM
- Median OS 31.4 months D-Rd vs 19.4 Rd POLLUX RRMM
- 3-year PFS 57% ixazomib-Rd vs 42% Rd TOURMALINE MM1
- OS benefit 12 months with pomalidomide vs HSCT salvage in RRMM
- Median PFS 18 months VMP vs 24 months Rd FIRST trial comparison
- 24-month OS 85% with D-VRd in GRIFFIN post-consolidation
Survival by Treatment Modalities Interpretation
We've reached a point in myeloma care where, if you cleverly pick your weapons and sequence your attacks, you can plausibly plan your life around this disease instead of constantly planning your death from it.