[Multiple myeloma: epidemiologic and clinical considerations].

Some epidemiological and clinical considerations on 184 cases of multiple myeloma, diagnosed in the period 1970-1989, are reported. The mean annual incidence rate for multiple myeloma was 5.1 per 100,000 residents, with a prevalence in male sex and in patients aged more than 65 years. The most frequent symptoms at presentation were bone pain and anemia, while the main cause of death was renal failure. The survival at three years was about 60%, and at five years about 45%. The subdivision of the patients according to the clinical staging system proposed by Durie and Salmon has demonstrated a significant difference in the three survival curves.