How long does a myeloma patient currently wait for the diagnosis in Hungary?

Abstract

Introduction: Long delays with the diagnosis of myeloma are common. So far there has not been a comprehensive study on this issue in Hungary. Aim: The aim of the authors was to analyze the waiting time from their first symptoms to the diagnosis of myeloma. Method: 193 myeloma patients treated in one large tertiary referral hematology centre in Hungary were included. Results: The median time was 4.1 months (0-35.4) until diagnosis, and 5.2 months (0-35.4) until treatment. The delay was longer in patients with better prognosis (early stage, low cytogenetic risk), in nonsecretory disease and in 5 patients with amyloidosis. There was no significant relationship between the delay and the survival. Conclusions: Considering the results of the present study and earlier literature data, the authors look for possibilities to improve the diagnostic delay. They think that the key to an earlier diagnosis is in the hands of the primary care physicians as they see the patients first and decide whether it is necessary to refer them to further test and to which specialty. Helping them with diagnostic algorithms, clear referring pathways, fast tracking patients with urgent problems, and making serum electrophoresis universally available in the primary care could help to reduce the time that myeloma patients spend waiting.