May / June 1998

Vol 5, No 3 CME Pretest

In this issue, the topic of multiple myeloma is addressed. First, answer the pretest questions below. After reading the articles, proceed with answering the CME posttest questions.

This Journal provides 4 hours of Category 1 Continuing Medical Education

Complimentary CME Credits

Physicans can earn up to 4 credit hours of Category 1 for the Physican's Recognition Award of the American Medical Association by reading the material in this issue and successfully answering the questions on the posttest at the end of this issue. Complete instructions are given on the posttest pages. Every successfully answered 10 questions will earn 1 credit hour. CME is presented by an unrestricted educational grant from Bristol-Myers Oncology Division.

Educational Objectives

After reading this issue, clinicians will be expected to:

• understand the incidence and implications of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS),
  
• describe the natural history of multiple myeloma, together with the effectiveness of standard treatments and supportive means, and
  
• evaluate the roles of newer interventions including interferon-alpha and high-dose therapy with bone marrow or stem cell support.

This program was planned in accordance with ACCME Essentials.
Release Date: May 1, 1998 Expiration Date: May 1, 1999

Pretest

1. What is the most common symptom experienced by patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)?

a. fatigue

b. fever

c. no symptoms

d. bone pain

2. Approximately what proportion of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma will respond to treatment with melphalan plus prednisone?

a. 20%

b. 95%

c. 80%

d. 50%

3. A policy of adding interferon-alpha to induction chemotherapy regimens for multiple myeloma has generally produced what effect on survival?

a. no change

b. variable

c. longer

d. shorter