Optimal care pathway for people with myeloma
The Optimal Care Pathways outline consistent, safe, high-quality and evidence-based care for people with cancer. Relevant to every step along the cancer continuum, the Optimal Care Pathways aim to improve patient outcomes for people affected by cancer, and ensure that Australians diagnosed with cancer receive the best care irrespective of where they live or receive cancer treatment.
Key principles for optimal cancer care are set out for each step of the patient journey from prevention through to survivorship and end of life care, and optimal timeframes within which tests or procedures should be completed.
National endorsement
The Optimal Care Pathways are endorsed by Cancer Australia, all states and territories and Cancer Council Australia.
For health professionals and health services
The Optimal Care Pathways are available in their full version or as a Quick Reference Guide (summary version):
- Optimal care pathway for people with multiple myeloma
- Optimal care pathway for men with multiple myeloma: Quick Reference Guide
For people affected by cancer
Consumer versions of the Optimal Care Pathways are available to help patients and their families and carers to understand the optimal cancer care that should be provided from diagnosis, through to treatment and beyond. They are available in multiple languages.
The Guides to Best Cancer Care include optimal timeframes within which tests or procedures should be completed; prompt lists to support patients to understand what might happen at each step of their cancer experience and to consider what questions to ask; and provide information to help patients and carers communicate with health professionals.
Optimal care pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer
The Optimal care pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer has been developed with the aim of reducing disparities and improving outcomes and experiences for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer. The Optimal Care Pathway provides guidance to health practitioners and service planners on optimal care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer, across the cancer continuum. It complements the best practice information provided in the cancer-specific pathways.
The Optimal care pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer is available in a full version and Quick Reference Guide (summary version).
For health professionals and health services
- Optimal care pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer
- Optimal care pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer: Quick Reference Guide
Resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and families affected by cancer
For more information about myeloma diagnosis and treatment, see the National Cancer Institute (US) Plasma cell neoplasms (including multiple myeloma treatment (PDQ®): health professional version.
Clinical practice guidelines and other guidelines relating to myeloma
- Medical Scientific Advisory Group to Myeloma Australia (2019). Clinical practice guideline: multiple myeloma
- Medical Scientific Advisory Group to Myeloma Australia (2020). MSAG update: bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (VRd) for initial treatment of multiple myeloma
- Medical Scientific Advisory Group to Myeloma Australia (2021). MSAG guidelines: Imaging of patients with multiple myeloma and associated plasma cell disorders
- Medical Scientific Advisory Group to Myeloma Australia (2019). Clinical practice guideline: systemic AL amyloidosis
- Medical Scientific Advisory Group to Myeloma Australia (2022). Clinical practice guideline: Waldenström macroglobulinaemia
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network (US), NCCN clinical practice guidelines in multiple myeloma. (register for free to access these).
- European Society for Medical Oncology (2021). Multiple myeloma: EHA-ESMO clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up
- American Society of Clinical Oncology and Cancer Care Ontario (2019). Treatment of multiple myeloma: ASCO and CCO joint clinical practice guideline
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2021). Blood and bone marrow cancers.
When reading materials that are published in other countries, note that some of the information may not apply to Australian patients.
