Multiple myeloma is a relatively uncommon cancer. In the United States, the lifetime risk of getting multiple myeloma is 1 in 159 (0.63%).
The American Cancer Society's most recent estimates for multiple myeloma in the United States are for 2012:
- About 21,700 new cases will be diagnosed (12,190 in men and 9,510 in women).
- About 10,710 deaths are expected to occur (6,020 in men and 4,690 in women).
The 5-year relative survival rate for multiple myeloma is around 40%. Survival is higher in younger people and lower in the elderly. Of course, 5-year survival rates are based on patients diagnosed and initially treated more than 5 years ago. The recent improvements in treatment may result in a more favorable outlook for recently diagnosed patients.
The 5-year survival rate refers to the percentage of patients who live at least 5 years after their cancer is diagnosed. Five-year survival rates are used to produce a standard way of discussing prognosis. Of course, many people live much longer than 5 years. Five-year relative survival rates assume that some people will die of other causes and compare the observed survival with that expected for people without the cancer. This is a more accurate way to describe the outlook for patients with a particular type and stage of cancer.
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