From the Guidelines
Multiple myeloma typically affects individuals at a mean age of 62 years for men and 61 years for women, with the majority of cases occurring in people over 70 years of age. The disease has a slight gender disparity, with men being more commonly affected than women. According to the American Cancer Society estimates, as reported in the study by 1, the mean age of onset is 62 years for men and 61 years for women, with 75% of men and 79% of women being over 70 years old at diagnosis.
Key Points
- The average age at diagnosis is around 62-61 years for men and women, respectively
- The majority of cases (75% of men and 79% of women) occur in individuals over 70 years old
- Men have a slightly higher risk of developing multiple myeloma compared to women
- The disease is predominantly a condition of the elderly, with only a small percentage of cases diagnosed in people under 50 years old
Disease Characteristics
The study by 1 highlights that multiple myeloma is a heterogeneous disease, with associated cytogenetic abnormalities suggesting that risk-adapted approaches and individualized treatment may be necessary. The introduction of new drugs, such as thalidomide, lenalidomide, and bortezomib, has improved treatment options, but the disease remains incurable with current approaches.
Clinical Implications
The age distribution of multiple myeloma has significant implications for treatment approaches, as older patients may have more comorbidities and different tolerance levels for aggressive therapies. As such, treatment strategies should take into account the patient's age, overall health, and individual characteristics to optimize outcomes and improve quality of life.
From the Research
Multiple Myeloma Onset
- The average age of onset for multiple myeloma is not explicitly stated in the provided studies, but it is mentioned that multiple myeloma is predominantly a disease of the elderly, with a median age of 66 at the time of presentation 2.
- Regarding gender, there is no specific information provided in the studies about the average age and gender onset for multiple myeloma.
Demographics
- The studies primarily focus on patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, with ages ranging from 18 years and older 3, 4, 5, 6.
- One study mentions that multiple myeloma comprises approximately 10% of hematologic malignancies, with the median age of 66 at the time of presentation, indicating that it is a disease that affects older adults 2.
Treatment and Response
- The studies discuss various treatment regimens for multiple myeloma, including bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (VRd), as well as carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (KRd) 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Response rates and progression-free survival are reported in the studies, but there is no specific information about the average age and gender onset for multiple myeloma.