Risk Factors for Multiple Myeloma A risk factor is something
that increases your chances of getting a disease or condition.
Most cases of multiple myeloma develop in patients with no risk
factors. The median age patients are diagnosed with myeloma is
65. This disease is rarely found in people younger than 40. The
reason is not known. But many cancers are more common in older
adults. Multiple myeloma seems to run in some families. However,
most patients do not have a family member with the disease.
Exposure to toxins or radiation may increase your risk of
multiple myeloma. The cancer is more often found in people who
work in the petroleum industry or in agriculture. Working in a
nuclear plant or radiology center, where you are exposed to
radiation, may also increase the risk. Patients with other
plasma cell disease are more likely to develop multiple myeloma.
Twenty percent of patients with monoclonal gammopathy of
undetermined significance or extramedullary plasmacytoma go on
to develop multiple myeloma. , an