OBJECTIVE: To detect chromosomal aberrations by using cytoplasmic light chain immunofluorescence with fluorescence in situ hybridization (cIg-FISH), and to explore the correlation of del(17p13) with clinical characteristics, drug response and prognosis among patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). METHODS: Clinical data of 198 cases of NDMM was collected. cIg-FISH and a specific probe (TP53) were used to detect karyotypic abnormalities in bone marrow samples derived from the patients. Correlation between karyotypic abnormalities and clinical data was analyzed. RESULTS: Nineteen of the 198 patients (9.6%) were found to have a karyotype involving del(17p13). The overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) for patients with or without del(17p13) was significantly different (P<0.01). No significant difference was found in OS and PFS between patients carrying a del(17p13) on bortezomib and non-bortezomib regimen (OS: P = 0.873; PFS: P = 0.610). CONCLUSION cIg-FISH is a simple and convenient method for the detection of karyotypic anomalies in multiple myeloma. Del(17p13) is an indicator for poor prognosis for multiple myeloma patients. Bortezomib cannot improve the survival disadvantage of del(17p13).