The following material has been sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Multiple myeloma incorporates ICD-10 cancer codes C90.0 (Multiple myeloma).
New cases
In 2021, there were 2,350 new cases of multiple myeloma diagnosed in Australia (1,399 males and 951 females). In 2025, it is estimated that 2,755 new cases of multiple myeloma will be diagnosed in Australia (1,670 males and 1,085 females). In 2025, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 116 (or 0.86%) risk of being diagnosed with multiple myeloma by the age of 85 (1 in 96 or 1.0% for males and 1 in 149 or 0.67% for females).
Graph: statistics-multiple-myeloma-figure-1-estimated-cancer-incidence-persons-2025
In 2021, the age-standardised incidence rate was 9.4 cases per 100,000 persons (12 for males and 7.2 for females). In 2025, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 10 cases per 100,000 persons (13 for males and 7.4 for females). The incidence rate for multiple myeloma is expected to increase with age, up to 85–89 years.
Graph: statistics-multiple-myeloma-figure-2-age-standardised-incidence-rates-2025
The number of new cases of multiple myeloma diagnosed increased from 565 (308 males and 257 females) in 1982 to 2,350 in 2021. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased from 6.0 cases per 100,000 persons (7.7 for males and 4.9 for females) in 1982 to 9.4 cases per 100,000 persons in 2021.
Deaths
In 2023, there were 1,131 deaths from multiple myeloma in Australia (647 males and 484 females). In 2025, it is estimated that there will be 1,210 deaths (714 males and 496 females). In 2025, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 302 (or 0.33%) risk of dying from multiple myeloma by the age of 85 (1 in 249 or 0.40% for males and 1 in 386 or 0.26% for females).
Graph: statistics-multiple-myeloma-figure-3-estimated-cancer-mortality-persons-2025
In 2023, the age-standardised mortality rate was 4.4 deaths per 100,000 persons (5.6 for males and 3.4 for females). In 2025, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 4.4 deaths per 100,000 persons (5.7 for males and 3.3 for females). The mortality rate for multiple myeloma is expected to increase with age.
Graph: statistics-multiple-myeloma-figure-4-age-standardised-mortality-rates-2025
The number of deaths from multiple myeloma increased from 348 (182 males and 166 females) in 1982 to 1,131 in 2023. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate remained similar at 4.0 deaths per 100,000 persons (5.2 for males and 3.3 for females) in 1982 and 4.4 deaths per 100,000 persons in 2023.
Survival
In 2017–2021, individuals diagnosed with multiple myeloma had a 61% chance (60% for males and 62% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1987–1991 and 2017–2021, five-year relative survival for multiple myeloma improved from 28% to 61%.
Graph: statistics-multiple-myeloma-figure-5-5-year-relative-survival-2025
Prevalence
At the end of 2021, there were 2,104 people living who had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma that year, 7,995 people living who had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma in the previous 5 years (from 2017 to 2021) and 13,724 people living who had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma in the previous 40 years (from 1982 to 2021).
For more information, see Multiple myeloma on the NCCI website
The National Cancer Control Indicators (NCCI) are a set of indicators across the continuum of cancer care, from Prevention and Screening through to Diagnosis, Treatment, Psychosocial care, Research and Outcomes. The NCCI website allows users to see visual representations of data on each indicator through interactive charts.
