Great question — and just to clarify the spelling, it's "light chain myeloma." It's a less common type, affecting about 20% of people with myeloma.
For people diagnosed with multiple myeloma between 2014 and 2020, the general five-year survival rate is around 61%. For those with light chain myeloma specifically, survival Show Full Answer
Great question — and just to clarify the spelling, it's "light chain myeloma." It's a less common type, affecting about 20% of people with myeloma.
For people diagnosed with multiple myeloma between 2014 and 2020, the general five-year survival rate is around 61%. For those with light chain myeloma specifically, survival may be somewhat shorter — potentially by up to two years — largely due to the kidney damage that light chains can cause. That said, prognosis depends on many individual factors, including:
- Kidney function — light chain myeloma carries a higher risk of kidney damage
- Number of abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow
- Treatment plan — those who receive a stem cell transplant tend to have better outcomes
- Where you're treated — academic or specialist cancer centers tend to show better outcomes than community hospitals
- Overall health and age
It's really important to have an open conversation with your oncology team about your specific risk factors and what your prognosis looks like for your situation. They can help tailor a treatment plan that gives you the best possible outcome.
August 2
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