NEWLY DIAGNOSED PATIENTS:

WHAT IS MULTIPLE MYELOMA

Multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cell, is an incurable but treatable disease. While a myeloma diagnosis can be overwhelming, it is important to remember that there are several promising new therapies that are helping patients live longer, healthier lives. The estimated frequency of multiple myeloma is 5 to 7 new cases per 100,000 persons per year. Accordingly, in the United States, 19,920 new cases are expected to be diagnosed in 2008. There were more than 56,000 Americans living with multiple myeloma in 2005, the most current date these statistics are available.

This section is designed to serve as a fundamental resource for education about multiple myeloma. It provides a detailed overview of the disease and includes:

• Definition
• Causes and Incidence
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis and staging
• Prognostic indicators
• Myeloma bone disease