Multiple Myeloma: The Blood Cancer Rapidly Spreading Among Young Adults

MEXICO CITY (apro).- While multiple myeloma, the second most common type of blood cancer, predominantly affects individuals over 60, younger people, including those in their 40s and younger, are increasingly diagnosed with this disease. In fact, the youngest multiple myeloma patient in Mexico is just 18 years old, according to the Mexican Association for the Fight Against Cancer (AMLCC).

At the “Voices and Experiences on Multiple Myeloma” discussion hosted by the AMLCC, it was noted that Mexico sees about 2,400 new cases each year, with a higher prevalence among men.

Official health statistics from the Secretary of Health (SSA) revealed that there were 1,169 deaths due to this disease in 2015, which increased to 1,507 by 2022.

However, hematologist-oncologist Yanet Ventura pointed out that these figures might be underreported due to delays in diagnostic confirmation because many cases initially present with a fracture that is treated without recognizing the underlying disease.

Urgent Need for More Hematologist-Oncologists

Ventura highlighted a concerning shortfall in Mexico, noting that there are only 953 certified hematologists as of 2025. Even more alarming, only a fraction of these specialize in hematologic cancers, according to the Mexican Group for the Study of Hematology (AMEH).

Mayra Galindo, General Director of AMLCC, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about multiple myeloma and enhancing patient education to improve life expectancy.

Jimena Alcalá, president of the Mexican Association of Multiple Myeloma Patients (AMEMM), stressed the need for awareness and timely diagnosis to enhance patient quality of life. She noted that some patients experience significant delays in receiving an accurate diagnosis.

Symptoms and Treatment

The most common symptoms of Multiple Myeloma include:

• Bone pain, especially in the spine, sternum, ribs, or limbs
• Anemia
• Pathological fractures
• Kidney damage

The SSA highlights that bone pain, often accompanied by spontaneous or unexpected fractures, particularly in the spine, hips, ribs, or limbs, is a critical warning sign.

Other symptoms include:

• Anemia
• Frequent infections throughout the body, especially in the lungs
• Signs of kidney failure
• Swelling in the limbs
• Weight loss
• Tumors in various organs, in extreme cases, known as plasmacytomas
• Fatigue and weakness

Experts stress the importance of consulting a hematologist if two or more of these symptoms are present.

Alma Ortiz Pellón, Deputy Director of AMLCC, called for equitable and comprehensive patient care, emphasizing that access to approved medications from the National Compendium of Health Inputs is crucial for improving patient quality of life and survival.

She added that having a variety of treatment options allows doctors to tailor therapies to individual patient needs, which is essential for improving health outcomes and providing ongoing treatment options.

During the discussion, nutritionists, physical therapists, and experts in pharmacovigilance and patient safety highlighted the importance of adhering to prescribed treatments and receiving comprehensive, multidisciplinary care tailored to each patient’s unique experiences and challenges.

Improving Patient Survival Rates

On September 5, the SSA reported that the survival rate for individuals diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in Mexico has increased from four to six years to a decade.

This improvement in patient survival has been attributed to advances in medical treatments, early detection, and enhanced hospital infrastructure.

Although Multiple Myeloma is incurable, it can be effectively managed with treatments such as chemotherapy and stem cell transplants to achieve long-term remissions and control the disease. These treatments do not address the underlying cause but can maintain remission for extended periods, according to studies on the subject.