Incidence

The annual incidence of myeloma in UK is around 60-70 per million (1).

• in western countries the annual age adjusted incidence is 5.6 per 100,000 persons (2)
• in Europe the incidence is 4.5–6.0/100 000/year (3)

The median age at presentation in UK is around 70 years. 15% of the patients are younger than 60 years (1)

Multiple myeloma prevalence in the UK at 31st of December 2006 was as follows

• 1 year - 2889
• 5 year - 9422
• 10 year - 12,465
• prevalence is likely to increase due to the improved survival rates (1).

It is more common in Afro-Caribbean ethnic groups than in Caucasians (1).

Reference:

• (1) Bird JM et al. Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of multiple myeloma 2011. Br J Haematol. 2011;154(1):32-75.
• (2) Palumbo A, Anderson K.Multiple myeloma. N Engl J Med. 2011;364(11):1046-60.
• (3) Harousseau JL, Dreyling M; ESMO Guidelines Working Group. Multiple myeloma: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Ann Oncol. 2010;21 Suppl 5:v155-7.