Hematologic Malignancies Program

Multiple Myeloma

Causes and Risk Factors

According to the American Cancer Society, about 19,920 new cases of multiple myeloma will be diagnosed in 2008. It is most common among people between the ages of 50 and 70. It affects men more often than women and African Americans more often than whites.

The causes of the disease is not known, but a few risk factors have been identified. People who have been exposed to certain chemicals and very high doses of radiation have an increased risk of developing multiple myeloma.

In addition, family members of people who have the disease also are at an increased risk of getting the disease. In the majority of cases, however, the people who develop the disease have no apparent risk factors.

This page was last updated on: April 2, 2009.