Premium
A population study to define the incidence and survival of multiple myeloma in a National Health Service Region in UK
Author(s) -
Phekoo K. J.,
Schey S. A.,
Richards M. A.,
Bevan D. H.,
Bell S.,
Gillett D.,
Møller H.
Publication year - 2004
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 - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2004.05207.x
Subject(s) - medicine , incidence (geometry) , population , epidemiology , multiple myeloma , cancer registry , demography , clinical trial , pediatrics , environmental health , physics , sociology , optics
Summary Epidemiology data on multiple myeloma (MM) occurrence and outcome is inconsistent whilst a major limitation of randomized controlled trials is selection bias. We present a population‐based analysis of patients diagnosed with MM in the South Thames area, which comprises 5·4 million adult inhabitants. A total of 855 cases of MM were ascertained between 1999 and 2000 in a collaborative project involving haematologists and the Thames Cancer Registry. The age‐standardized rate was 3·29 per 100 000 and 4·82 cases per 100 000 (World Standard and European Population respectively). The median age was 73 years. The median survival for the whole group was 24 months whist it was 42 and 18 months in those aged less than 65 years and greater than 65 years respectively ( P < 0·001). This population study has shown a higher incidence than previously reported in the UK and Europe and provides a benchmark for future studies. If survival is to be improved, future clinical trials and health care planning should consider patients over 65 years of age.