Multiple myeloma



Multiple myeloma (also known as myeloma or plasma cell myeloma) is a
hematologic cancer, meaning it develops in the blood. It is a cancer of the
plasma cell, an important part of the immune system that produces
immunoglobulins (antibodies) to help fight infection and disease.

There are approximately 45,000 people in the United States living with
multiple myeloma and an estimated 14,600 new cases of multiple myeloma are
diagnosed each year.

Multiple myeloma is the second most prevalent blood cancer after
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It represents approximately 1% of all cancers and 2%
of all cancer deaths.

Although the peak age of onset of multiple myeloma is 65 to 70 years of age,
recent statistics indicate both increasing incidence and earlier age of
onset. Approximately 45,000 Americans currently have myeloma, and the
American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 14,600 new cases of
myeloma are diagnosed each year in the United States.

Multiple myeloma affects slightly more men than women. African Americans and
Native Pacific Islanders have the highest reported incidence of this disease
and Asians the lowest. Results of a recent study found the incidence of
myeloma to be 9.5 cases per 100,000 African Americans and 4.1 cases per
100,000 Caucasian Americans. Among African Americans, myeloma is one of the
top 10 leading causes of cancer death.

The diagnosis of multiple myeloma is often made incidentally during routine
blood tests for other conditions. For example, the existence of anemia and a
high serum protein may suggest further testing.

Cancer - List of Famous Cancer Patients - Medical Topics - Medical_Terms - Medicine - Alternative Therapies -