MULTIPLE-MYELOMA IN THE AFRO-CARIBBEAN POPULATION OF CURACAO

To determine the incidence and course of multiple myeloma (MM) in the Afro-Caribbean population of Curacao, we studied all MM patients disch arged from the only hospital on the island during an 11-year period st arting in 1980. As 50 patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for M M proposed by Durie, the average annual incidence (AI) of MM was estim ated at 3.1/100 000 person years; AI was similar in males and females, but showed a steep increase with age in both sexes; 10% of all MM pat ients were < 40 years of age. At diagnosis 68% of patients were in Sta ge III, in 26% serum creatinine levels were > 20 mg/l, 36% had hyperca lcaemia, and 50% had multiple bone lesions. Median survival was 20.5 m onths; Stage III myeloma and bone marrow plasma cell percentage > 50 w ere independent risk factors for poor survival. Infections were the im mediate cause of death in 54% of the non-survivors. We conclude that t he incidence rate of MM in the Afro-Caribbean population of Curacao is one of the lowest reported in black populations; however, the present ation and course of MM follow the pattern seen in most other countries .