Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematologic malignancy that impacts plasma cells in the bone marrow, causing symptoms such as bone lesions, renal injury, anemia, and hypercalcemia. It is the second most common hematologic cancer in the United States, accounting for 1.8% of all new cancer cases. While survival rates have improved due to treatments like stem cell transplants and immunotherapies, MM remains incurable and chronic, significantly impacting patients’ quality of life (QoL). MM is more common in men, individuals aged 65 to 74 years, and especially among those who are Black/African American, who are diagnosed younger and often experience worse outcomes due to underuse of novel therapies.

MM often presents with nonspecific symptoms, leading to diagnostic delays. Primary care providers play a key role in recognizing these symptoms early and initiating appropriate testing, including serum protein electrophoresis and free light chain assays. Delayed diagnosis is more common in the Black/African American population, contributing to poorer outcomes. Early referrals to hematology/oncology improves survival and QoL, and future research on diagnostic pathways and screening tools, such as electronic medical records and artificial intelligence, may help reduce delays and disparities.

Reference: Mikhael J, Bhutani M, Cole CE. Multiple Myeloma for the Primary Care Provider: A Practical Review to Promote Earlier Diagnosis Among Diverse Populations. Am J Med. 2023;136(1):33-41. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2022.08.030.