Types of myeloma

Myeloma is a varied disease that is different in different patients. But the basic features are the same in all cases.

A very few patients do not accumulate high levels of paraprotein in their blood. These patients are said to have non-secretory myeloma and have a lower risk of kidney damage. But in all other aspects their disease and treatment is exactly the same.

There are some conditions that are related to myeloma such as MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance) and Smouldering myeloma.

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)

MGUS is a condition closely related to myeloma in which patients have low levels of paraprotein in their blood, but no other similarities with myeloma. All patients who have myeloma have also had MGUS previously. However, this does not mean that all patients who have MGUS will develop myeloma.

Smouldering myeloma

Smouldering myeloma is a condition in which patients have high levels of paraprotein and plasma cells, but no other similarities with myeloma. Unlike MGUS, people with smouldering myeloma will go on to develop myeloma at some point and need some treatment only when this happens.

Neither of these conditions require treatment. However, people with either MGUS or smouldering myeloma are monitored closely in case their condition develops into full-blown myeloma.

Tests