Objective  This study aimed to explore clinical features of multiple myeloma in patients over 80 years old.

  Methods  We retrospectively analyzed 11 cases of multiple myeloma over 80 years old, which were diagnosed from 2000 to 2013 in our hospital.

  Results  The mean age was 83.5 years. All patients had more than two complicated diseases, and the performance status was poor in the majority of the patients. Ten cases received individualized treatments. The results showed that three patients had progressed, one patient achieved complete remission, three patients achieved partial remission, and four patients achieved minor remission. Median survival time was 28 months. The causes of death included six progressed myelomas, three pneumonias, and two acute myocardial infarctions.

  Conclusion  Patients aged 80 years old with myeloma are often at a late stage. Treatment should be individualized based on patient status. Survival time was evidently prolonged in very elderly patients with MM after individualized treatments, particularly in patients in stages Ⅰ and Ⅱ.