Epidemiology of Multiple Myeloma

Abstract

This review critically assesses the recent epidemiological evidence for MM in terms of its occurrence and causation. The major feature of the descriptive epidemiology is the excess rates in the US black population. Not a great deal is certain about the causes of MM but there are links with exposures of specific types to ionising irradiation and also farming as an occupation but there is very little evidence to links to cigarette smoking and immune depletion.

When the epidemiology of MM is contrasted with other haematogenic malignancies there is clear evidence to suggest MM is unique and not at all similar in this respect to either the lymphomas or the leukaemias.

Keywords:

• Epidemiology
• multiple myeloma
• ionising radiation
• occupation
• chronic diseases