Patient Education in Frontline Multiple Myeloma

Tanika Pittman, APRN, discusses practical strategies for educating patients and caregivers about quadruplet therapy for multiple myeloma, emphasizing the importance of simplifying complex treatment information without overwhelming patients. She describes organizing education around three key areas: what the treatment is intended to accomplish, what patients should expect during therapy, and which symptoms or adverse events should be reported promptly. Tanika reviews important considerations associated with the individual components of quadruplet therapy, including infusion-related reactions and infection risk with daratumumab; peripheral neuropathy and cytopenias with bortezomib; cytopenias, thrombosis risk, renal dosing, and adherence considerations with lenalidomide; and sleep disturbance, mood changes, hyperglycemia, appetite changes, weight gain, and cumulative steroid burden with dexamethasone. The faculty also emphasize that supportive care is an integral component of multiple myeloma treatment, including antiviral prophylaxis, vaccination, bone health, and monitoring of immunoglobulins. Caregiver involvement is encouraged as an additional source of observation and support. Tanika and Jill stress that adherence extends beyond taking medications and includes communication with the entire care team, attending appointments, completing laboratory monitoring, and reporting symptoms rather than withholding concerns out of fear that treatment may be reduced or discontinued.