Eric Dillon Reaches Multiple Myeloma Remission After 8 Trial Cycles and Radiation
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · Jul 4
Eric Dillon Reaches Multiple Myeloma Remission After 8 Trial Cycles and Radiation
1 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Jul 4
Summary
Houston patient Eric Dillon is now in remission from multiple myeloma after nearly a year in a clinical trial, followed by additional radiation that cleared remaining cancer in his shoulder bone.
May 2024 shoulder pain during yard work led to an MRI, an oncology referral and tests confirming the blood cancer, which doctors said is often mistaken for routine musculoskeletal injury.
Eight treatment cycles brought only minor side effects after a dosage adjustment, and Dillon said joining the trial also gave him more control over his care.
Black Americans make up about 20% of multiple myeloma patients despite being about 4% of the U.S. population, while remaining underrepresented in clinical trials.
Dillon now takes one daily maintenance drug, gets regular oncology checkups and is using his case to raise awareness of unusual symptoms and trial options.
Why do Black patients with more treatable myeloma biology often face worse survival outcomes?
Could therapies that build cancer-fighters inside the body finally solve treatment inequality in America?
His shoulder pain was cancer. How many common aches are signs of a hidden, life-threatening disease?
Multiple Myeloma in 2026: From Misdiagnosis to Remission, Equity, and the Pursuit of a Cure
Overview
This report follows Eric Dillon’s journey with multiple myeloma, highlighting how his initial misdiagnosis delayed early detection—a common challenge due to the disease’s subtle symptoms like bone pain in the back, chest, or hips. It explains how advanced treatments, such as induction therapy and participation in clinical trials, helped him reach remission. The report also explores the broader impact of multiple myeloma, especially among Black Americans who face higher rates of precursor conditions, and emphasizes the importance of patient advocacy and equitable access to research and care. Dillon’s story illustrates both the medical advances and ongoing disparities in multiple myeloma treatment.