Ice Chips or Saline Mouth Rinse in Reducing or Preventing Mucositis in Patients Receiving Melphalan and Autologous Stem Cell Transplant for Multiple Myeloma

OBJECTIVES: * Compare the efficacy of administering ice chips vs room temperature normal saline oral rinse before, during, and after melphalan administration, in terms of reducing or eliminating grade 3 or 4 oral mucositis, in patients undergoing autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) for multiple myeloma. * Compare the number of days that IV narcotic therapy is required for oral mucositis pain in patients treated with these regimens. * Compare the use of IV hydration and/or total parenteral nutrition after autologous PBSCT in patients treated with these regimens. * Compare overall quality of life, in terms of ability to eat food and drink liquids, in patients treated with these regimens. OUTLINE: This is a randomized, pilot study. Patients are stratified according to age (less than 60 years vs 60 years and over). Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms. * Arm I: Patients receive oral ice chips 15 minutes before, during, and for 8 hours after melphalan infusion\* on day -2. * Arm II: Patients receive room temperature normal saline oral rinses over 30 seconds 15 minutes before, during, and for 8 hours after melphalan infusion\* on day -2. All patients undergo autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT)\* on day 0. NOTE: \*Patients receive melphalan infusion and undergo autologous PBSCT on protocol FHCRC-1137.00. Quality of life is assessed 3 days a week for 4 weeks. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed for 28 days and then periodically thereafter. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 40 patients (20 per treatment arm) will be accrued for this study within 18 months.