What are the precursor conditions of multiple myeloma? There are three primary precursor conditions to multiple myeloma. These are MGUS, smoldering myeloma, and high-risk smoldering myeloma. MGUS, or monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, means that there is a detectable monoclonal protein in the blood at a low level. There are more plasma cells in the bone marrow than normal, but it's at low levels. High-risk multiple myeloma is when there is more monoclonal protein in the blood and there are considerably more plasma cells in the bone marrow than normal, but the myeloma has not caused any organ damage in the body. High-risk smoldering myeloma is smoldering myeloma that is likely to progress to active myeloma within two years. More information on each of these precursor conditions will be discussed in the following videos in this class. Precursor conditions means that it's a before-pre precursor, before what you get, and usually that happens for any cancer. There could be a precancerous condition or before you have the symptoms. So for multiple myeloma, MGUS and smoldering myeloma are considered precancer or precursor to overt myeloma. However, it's a misnomer because smoldering myeloma has so many changes that in a way a high-risk smoldering has all the features of real myeloma. And we have to start thinking, is that really in the precursor area or is MGUS alone in the precursor area? I think this is a time for us to reclassify and an opportunity to look again at all of those precursor conditions and see who is at risk of developing myeloma in a very short period of time and when should we intervene in those patients. Everyone with multiple myeloma has had one of these precursor conditions at some point. MGUS and smoldering myeloma patients are welcome to join Health Tree as we will be doing studies for these precursor condition patients. Join Health Tree today and help accelerate myeloma research towards a cure.