Multiple myeloma

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Survival rates

Survival rates for multiple myeloma estimate the percentage of people with the condition who are expected to live a certain number of years after diagnosis. Relative survival estimates the survival after excluding the risk of death from other causes. For those diagnosed with multiple myeloma in the U.S. from 2016 to 2022, the five-year relative survival rate was almost 64%. From 2015 to 2024 in the U.S., the death rate fell about 3% each year.

These statistics describe large groups of people. They can't predict an individual's survival.

What you can do

Your outlook depends on factors such as age, overall health, disease stage and chromosome changes. It also depends on kidney function and how well treatment works. It also depends on whether myeloma returns or stops getting better during treatment. Your care team can discuss these factors with you.

Remission and relapse

Multiple myeloma can be treated, but it is not considered curable. Most people with multiple myeloma eventually have a relapse or develop myeloma that stops getting better with treatment. The length of remission often gets shorter after each relapse.

Treatment can lead to a partial or complete response. A complete response means that certain blood, urine and bone marrow criteria have been met. It doesn't mean that the myeloma is cured.

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Aug. 22, 2026

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