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Prognosis in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance
Author(s) -
Vuckovic Josko,
Ilic Anita,
Knezevic Nebojsa,
Marinkovic Marija,
Zemunik Tatijana,
Dubravcic Mirko
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2141.1997.1072923.x
Subject(s) - monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance , medicine , multiple myeloma , monoclonal gammopathy , gastroenterology , monoclonal , monoclonal antibody , immunology , antibody
Eighty‐seven patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) were followed for a period of 1–20 years, median 91 months. Transformation to multiple myeloma occurred in 14 patients of whom seven died as a consequence of the disease. There were 13 unrelated deaths. The actuarial probability of survival was 80% at 10 years and 44% at 15 years and the probabilities of malignant conversion for the same periods were 17% and 30% respectively. The most significant factor influencing the probability of malignant conversion was the increase of monoclonal protein above the level of 30 g/l during the observation period ( P <0.001), followed by an increase of M‐protein to more than 50% above the baseline level ( P =0.02) and a decreased level of uninvolved immunoglobulins ( P =0.054).