Multiple myeloma in Australia statistics
The following material has been sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Multiple myeloma incorporates ICD-10 cancer codes C90.0 (Multiple myeloma).
Estimated number of new cases of multiple myeloma diagnosed in 2021
2,423 = 1,387 males + 1,036 females
Estimated % of all new cancer cases diagnosed in 2021
1.6%
Estimated number of deaths from multiple myeloma in 2021
1,074 = 612 males + 462 females
Estimated % of all deaths from cancer in 2021
2.2%
Chance of surviving at least 5 years (2013–2017)
54%
People living with multiple myeloma at the end of 2016 (diagnosed in the 5 year period 2012 to 2016)
6,229
New cases
In 2017, there were 1,978 new cases of multiple myeloma diagnosed in Australia (1,130 males and 847 females). In 2021, it is estimated that 2,423 new cases of multiple myeloma will be diagnosed in Australia (1,387 males and 1,036 females). In 2021, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 117 (or 0.85%) risk of being diagnosed with multiple myeloma by the age of 85 (1 in 103 or 0.97% for males and 1 in 136 or 0.74% for females).
Figure 1. Estimated cancer incidence in Australia, 2021
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about incidence rates for the most common cancers diagnosed can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)
In 2017, the age-standardised incidence rate was 6.8 cases per 100,000 persons (8.4 for males and 5.6 for females). In 2021, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will increase to 7.6 cases per 100,000 persons (9.2 for males and 6.2 for females). The incidence rate for multiple myeloma is expected to increase with age, peaking at age group 85–89 years.
Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for multiple myeloma, 1982 to 2017, by sex
Notes:
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
The number of new cases of multiple myeloma diagnosed increased from 567 (308 males and 259 females) in 1982 to 1,978 in 2017. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased from 4.7 cases per 100,000 persons (5.9 for males and 3.8 for females) in 1982 to 6.8 cases per 100,000 in 2017.
Deaths
In 2019, there were 1,018 deaths from multiple myeloma in Australia (575 males and 443 females). In 2021, it is estimated that there will be 1,074 deaths (612 males and 462 females). In 2021, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 288 (or 0.35%) risk of dying with multiple myeloma by the age of 85 (1 in 254 or 0.39% for males and 1 in 334 or 0.30% for females).
Figure 3. Estimated cancer mortality in Australia, 2021
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about mortality rates for the most common causes of cancer death can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality)
In 2019, the age-standardised mortality rate was 3.2 deaths per 100,000 persons (4.0 for males and 2.6 for females). In 2021, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will remain at 3.2 deaths per 100,000 persons (4.0 for males and 2.6 for females). The mortality rate for multiple myeloma is expected to increase with age.
Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for multiple myeloma, 1982 to 2019, by sex
Notes:
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
The number of deaths from multiple myeloma increased from 348 (182 males and 166 females) in 1982 to 1,018 in 2019. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate increased slightly from 3.0 deaths per 100,000 persons (3.8 for males and 2.5 for females) in 1982 to 3.2 deaths per 100,000 in 2019.
Survival
In 2013–2017, individuals diagnosed with multiple myeloma had a 54% chance (54% for males and 54% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1988–1992 and 2013–2017, five-year relative survival for multiple myeloma improved from 28% to 54%.
Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for multiple myeloma, 1988–1992 to 2013–2017, by sex
Notes:
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
Prevalence
At the end of 2016, there were 1,785 people living who had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma that year, 6,229 people living who had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma in the previous 5 years (from 2012 to 2016) and 9,803 people living who had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma in the previous 35 years (from 1982 to 2016).
For more information on cancer data, see the NCCI website
The National Cancer Control Indicators (NCCI) are a set of indicators across the continuum of cancer care, from Prevention and Screening through to Diagnosis, Treatment, Psychosocial care, Research and Outcomes. The NCCI website allows users to see visual representations of data on each indicator through interactive charts.