Distribution of multiple myeloma in India: Heterogeneity in incidence across age, sex and geography.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the distribution of multiple myeloma (MM) in India and provide a comprehensive narrative about its incidence, including differential patterns across age, sex and geography.

METHODS

MM cases diagnosed during 2012-14 were obtained from 27 populations based cancer registries in India by consulting the latest National Cancer Registry Programme reports. Crude (CR) and age-specific (ASR) rates of MM incidence were determined. Age-adjusted rates (AARs) were estimated by standardizing the CR values using age-specific weights recommended for LMIC countries (including India) for men and women separately, along with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI) measures.

RESULTS

Altogether, 1916 MM cases (male/female: 1123/793) were documented (i.e. 1.19% of all cancers, 95% CI: 1.14-1.24%). Overall CR of MM in India was 1.27 (95% CI: 1.20-1.35)/ 100,000 in men and 0.95 (95% CI: 0.89-1.02)/ 100,000 in women, while the corresponding AARs were 1.13 (95% CI: 1.07-1.20) and 0.81 (95% CI: 0.75 - 0.88) per 100,000 respectively. The ASR values increased steadily with age. Most cases belonged to the 60-69 yrs bracket. However, regional and sex-specific differences in MM profile were observed. MM incidence was highest in the Southern and Northern zones, and least in the Northeast. The Northern and Central zones had higher proportion of MM in the 50-59 yrs age group, whereas Eastern zone had higher proportion of cases aged 70 yrs and above.

CONCLUSION

Incidence of MM in India is presented. Marked variations in MM incidence were noted with respect to age, sex and geography.