Multiple Myeloma Surveillance Counterpoint: Australia

Multiple myeloma is a malignancy of plasma cells originating from the bone marrow. It is a clonal disorder with excess monoclonal immunoglobulins. It most commonly presents with bone lesions, renal failure, anemia, and hypercalcemia. Myeloma accounts for approximately 10 % of all hematological malignancies. The annual incidence of myeloma in Australia is approximately 5 per 100,000. The median age of diagnosis is in the mid 60s [1]. There is variation in incidence among racial groups, with myeloma being twice as common in African Americans as in Caucasians [2] and less common in Asians [3]. The etiology of myeloma currently remains unknown. The major risk factor is the presence of monoclonal immunoglobulins (paraproteins) in the blood and the incidence of paraproteins increases with age. Plasma cell disorders related to myeloma include MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance) and smouldering myeloma.