Multiple myeloma epidemiology and demographics

In 2012, the incidence of multiple myeloma was approximately 6.3 per 100,000 cases with a mortality rate of 3.3 per 100,000 cases in the United States. The prevalence of multiple myeloma was estimated to be 89,658 cases in 2012 in the United States. Multiple myeloma is the second most common blood cancer after non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and 14th most common cancer overall in United States. Males are more commonly affected with multiple myeloma than females; the male to female ratio is approximately 1.54 to 1. Multiple myeloma usually affects individuals of the African American race. Asian individuals are less likely to develop multiple myeloma. The incidence of multiple myeloma increases with age.

• The age-standardized incidence rate of multiple myeloma worldwide is 1.5 per 100,000 persons per year.^[1][2]
• According to age-adjusted rates based in 2011-2015, the incidence of multiple myeloma was approximately 6.7 per 100,000 individuals with a case-fatality rate of 3.3 per 100,000 in the United States.^[3][2]
• In 2018, multiple myeloma will constitute approximately 1.8% of the estimated new cancer cases.^[4][2]
• In 2018, the estimated deaths caused by multiple myeloma will constitute 2.1% of all cancer mortality cases.^[5][2]
• In 2018, approximately 30,770 people will be diagnosed with multiple myeloma.^[6]
• In 2018, approximately 12,770 people die from multiple myeloma.^[2]
• According to 2013-2015 data, approximately 0.8% of all people will have a diagnosis of multiple myeloma at some point during their lifetime in US.^[2]
• According to an estimation in 2015, there were 124,733 people with myeloma living in the United States.^[2]
• Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematologic malignancy, after non-Hodgkin lymphoma.^[1]
• Since 1975, the overall multiple myeloma incidence has increased nearly 1 percent annually.^[4]
• Solitary plasmacytoma accounts for approximately 5% of plasma cell neoplasms.^[7]

• Myeloma is the 14th leading cause of cancer death in the United States.^[5]
• According to an estimation in 2015, there were 124,733 people with myeloma living in the United States.^[2]

• The incidence of multiple myeloma increases with age, and the median age at diagnosis is 69 years.^[2]

• Males are more commonly affected with multiple myeloma than females. The male to female ratio is approximately 1.54 to 1.^[8]

• Among African Americans, multiple myeloma is one of the top 10 leading causes of cancer deaths.^[5]
• The incidence of multiple myeloma in the African American population is more than the European American population.
• African Americans have a 2-fold higher age-standardized incidence rate of multiple myeloma than Caucasians. The incidence of multiple myeloma in African Americans is 9.6 per 100,000 persons. The incidence of Caucasians is 4.1 per 100,000 persons.^[1]