Epidemiology of multiple myeloma

Death rates due to multiple myeloma are increasing by every year in Japan since 1970. 1,896 men and 1,889 women were died, during 2005. Crude mortality rates are also rising since 1970 and reach 3.04 per 100,000 and 2.89 per 100,000 among men and women, respectively in 2005. Age-adjusted mortality rates (using the 1985 Japan Standard) reach 1.5-1.6 per 100,000 in 1995 and persist its value till now.