Clinical significance of the translocation (11;14)(q13;q32) in multiple myeloma

The most common chromosomal translocation in multiple myeloma (MM) is t(11; 14)(q13;q32). Here, we describe the clinical characteristics of patients wi th MM who have this translocation. We have identified 24 patients at our in stitution who had t(11;14)(q13;q32) as determined by standard cytogenetic a nalysis (CC). Seven patients had the translocation detected at the time of original diagnosis and 17 at the time of relapse. Median survival in all pa tients after original diagnosis was 43 months; median survival after the tr anslocation was detected was 11.9 months. Four patients had a clinical diag nosis of plasma cell leukemia. Most patients had an elevated beta(2)-microg lobulin (13/20 had >4 mu g/ml). The bone marrow (BM) labeling index (LI) of patients, at the time of translocation detection, was elevated in most (me dian 1.4%, 17/23 patients had BMLI greater than or equal to 1%). Of the 24 patients, 19 (79%) died of disease progression and 5 (21%) were alive with disease at last follow-up. Lytic lesions, bone pain, or compression fractur es eventually developed in all patients. Patients with MM who have t(11;14) (q13;q32) detected by standard cytogenetics seem to have an aggressive clin ical course.