Nonsecretory multiple myeloma. Presenting findings, clinical course and prognosis.

The present report gives information both on the clinical features at presentation and the clinical course of 7 consecutive patients with nonsecretory multiple myeloma. It provides evidence that the nonsecretory variant was closely associated with high tumor cell mass, as determined by severe anemia and/or multiple areas of bone destruction. The marked depression of normal immunoglobulins and the absence of both renal failure and hypercalcemia differentiated nonsecretory from typical myelomatosis. Finally, the survival length of patients with nonsecretory myeloma appeared to be similar to that of comparably staged patients with secretory myeloma.