Multiple myeloma incidence and mortality trends in the United States, 1999-2020

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell disorder accounting for approximately 10% of hematologic malignancies. There is limited epidemiological evidence regarding the long-term trends and disparities in MM in the US. We conducted a multiple time point cross-sectional study using MM incidence rate data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database and mortality data from the CDC Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) Underlying Cause of Death database between 1999 and 2020. During this period, MM incidence has steadily increased, while MM mortality has steadily decreased, with substantial racial and ethnic disparities. Non-Hispanic Black individuals exhibited the highest incidence rates, which consistently rose from 12.02 (95% CI 10.54, 13.64) in 1999 to 14.20 (95% CI 12.93, 15.55) per 100,000 population by 2020. Non-Hispanic American Indian/Native Alaskans and Asian/Pacific Islanders demonstrated the lowest incidence rates of 5.59 (95% CI 2.69, 10.04) and 3.56 (95% CI 2.94, 4.27) per 100,000 population in 1999 to 5.76 (95% CI 3.49, 8.90) and 3.92 (95% CI 3.46, 4.42) per 100,000 population, respectively, by 2020. Disparities by gender, age, US census region, and rurality were observed, underscoring the importance of targeted, equity-centered interventions and MM screening initiatives for at-risk populations.