Smoldering multiple myeloma is an asymptomatic precursor condition to multiple myeloma, a cancer in the bone marrow. We conducted a population-based screening study — in which 51% of the population over 40 years of age in Iceland participated — and found that the prevalence of smoldering multiple myeloma was 0.5% in the study population.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals
Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription
$29.99 per month
cancel any time
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$189.00 per year
only $15.75 per issue
Rent or buy this article
Get just this article for as long as you need it
$39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Cowan, A. J. et al. Global burden of multiple myeloma: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. JAMA Oncol. 4, 1221–1227 (2018). A paper that describes the global burden of multiple myeloma.
Rajkumar, S. V. et al. International Myeloma Working Group updated criteria for the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. Lancet Oncol. 15, 538–548 (2014). A paper that outlines the diagnostic criteria for multiple myeloma and its precursors.
Rajkumar, S. V. et al. Smoldering multiple myeloma current treatment algorithms. Blood Cancer J. 12, 129 (2022). A review article that presents arguments in support of the treatment of SMM.
Vaxman, I. & Gertz, M. A. How I approach smoldering multiple myeloma. Blood 140, 828–838 (2022). A review article that presents arguments against the treatment of SMM.
Rögnvaldsson, S. et al. Iceland screens, treats, or prevents multiple myeloma (iStopMM): a population-based screening study for monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and randomized controlled trial of follow-up strategies. Blood Cancer J. 11, 94 (2021). An article that describes the design of the iStopMM study in detail.
Landgren, O. & Weiss, B. M. Patterns of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and multiple myeloma in various ethnic/racial groups: support for genetic factors in pathogenesis. Leukemia 10, 1691–1697 (2009). An article that outlines the patterns of MGUS in various ethnic and racial groups.
Additional information
Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
This is a summary of: Thorsteinsdóttir, S. et al. Prevalence of smoldering multiple myeloma based on nationwide screening. Nat. Med. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-022-02183-6 (2023).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Population screening for smoldering multiple myeloma reveals high prevalence. Nat Med 29, 313–314 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-022-02187-2
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-022-02187-2
