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Multiple Myeloma Survival Rates
Multiple myeloma is a rare blood cancer affecting plasma cells. This page explains how many people are diagnosed with multiple myeloma each year in the United States and around the world.
This page also includes information about survival rates. For many people, their first question after a multiple myeloma diagnosis is “what is my prognosis?” or “how long will I live after a multiple myeloma diagnosis?” But it is important to remember that every person is different, and researchers are always studying new treatments.
It is also important to remember that these statistics tell us about groups of people, not individuals. Statistics can be hard to understand. Always talk to your doctor about your specific diagnosis and what these statistics mean for you.
Some people may choose not to read about statistics after their diagnosis. If you do not want to read about survival statistics, consider reading another part of this guide.
The next section in this guide is How is Multiple Myeloma Diagnosed, which covers the different types of tests used to confirm a myeloma diagnosis and understand more about it. If you have already received a myeloma diagnosis, consider skipping ahead to Understanding Multiple Myeloma Lab Results or How is Multiple Myeloma Staged and Classified.
How many people are diagnosed with multiple myeloma every year?
In the United States, an estimated 36,000 people will be diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2026. About 1.8% of all new cancer cases in the United States are multiple myeloma. Globally, there were 188,000 people diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2022.
An estimated 10,085 people will die of multiple myeloma in 2026 in the United States. About 1.9% of all cancer deaths in the United States are from multiple myeloma. Worldwide, an estimated 121,000 people died of myeloma in 2022.
What is the survival rate of multiple myeloma?
Researchers use a statistic called relative survival rate to understand how long most people live after receiving a specific cancer diagnosis. This number is a percentage out of 100 that compares people with a disease and people without a disease.
As an example, let’s compare two imaginary groups of 100 people. Group A does not have cancer. Group B does have cancer. After five years, 90 people in Group A are still alive. In Group B, 60 people are still alive. This means that the 5-year relative survival rate for the cancer is 66.7%. This is because 66.7% of 90 is 60.
It is important to remember that survival rates are estimates. These numbers describe populations. They do not predict outcomes for individual people. This percentage cannot tell you how long you will live after a multiple myeloma diagnosis.
The 5-year relative survival rate for multiple myeloma is 62%.
IS MULTIPLE MYELOMA CURABLE?: In recent years, some researchers believe we are close to a cure for multiple myeloma and that some people have been cured of myeloma. For some, treatment with CAR-T therapy and medications means that their myeloma does not need regular treatment. For other people, myeloma can be managed like a chronic illness.
Watch a video: IS THERE A CURE FOR MULTIPLE MYELOMA?
It is also important to remember that relative survival rates are measured every 5 years. This percentage may not include recent advances in treatments.
Since the year 2000, the 5-year relative survival rate has been increasing for multiple myeloma. It has increased from 33% to 63% in 25 years. This is due to advancements in treatment, such as monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, and CAR-T therapy. See How is Multiple Myeloma Treated? for more information about the latest treatment advances.
What’s Next: The next page in this guide is How is Multiple Myeloma Diagnosed. If you would like to read another page in this guide, return to the Understanding Multiple Myeloma page or choose another page from the menu.
Sources:
National Cancer Institute: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER). Cancer Stat Facts: Myeloma. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/mulmy.html.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control: United States Cancer Statistics. Relative Cancer Survival. https://www.cdc.gov/united-states-cancer-statistics/technical-notes/relative-cancer-survival.html