Is smoldering multiple myeloma considered an early stage of multiple myeloma?
The medical community views smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) in different ways. Some doctors consider it a precancerous condition that comes before active multiple myeloma, while others think of it as multiple myeloma that hasn't yet caused Show Full Answer
Is smoldering multiple myeloma considered an early stage of multiple myeloma?
The medical community views smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) in different ways. Some doctors consider it a precancerous condition that comes before active multiple myeloma, while others think of it as multiple myeloma that hasn't yet caused symptoms or organ damage.
SMM sits between MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance) and active multiple myeloma. It's sometimes called asymptomatic myeloma because you have increased plasma cells and M protein levels, but no symptoms or organ damage yet.
The key difference is that SMM is benign (noncancerous) and doesn't cause symptoms, while active multiple myeloma involves organ damage and typically causes symptoms like bone pain, fatigue, and frequent infections.
The risk of SMM progressing to active myeloma is:
* 10% per year for the first five years
* 3% per year for the next five years
* 1.5% per year after that
Because of this progression risk, some doctors now recommend early treatment for "high-risk" SMM cases, while others may still use a watchful waiting approach with regular monitoring.
January 14
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