Multiple myeloma is a hematologic neoplasm with a unique and characteristic manifestation. This condition is responsible for 10% of hematologic malignancies, and thus represents 1% of all cases of cancer in the US. In Korea, unlike in Western society, myeloma has classically been relatively rare, due in part to racial differences. However, the incidence of this disease in Korea has increased steadily over the last 25 years. During this period, both the incidence of and mortality due to myeloma increased by up to 30-fold. Currently, incidence rate and mortality rate exceed 1.0/100,000. Possible reasons for this increase include better detection, as well as an actual increase, probably attributable to contributing factors, including pollution, exposure to chemicals, and socioeconomic change, all of which are related to rapid industrialization. Aging is another important factor contributing to this perceived increase. With the advent of targeted therapy, Korean myeloma study group was organized under the auspice of Korean society of hematology. In addition, Korean myeloma registry was established recently. In this study, epidemiological changes in the incidence and mortality of multiple myeloma in Korea are assessed and compared with the situations of the US and Japan. This article also claims the need for multicenter clinical trials as well as activation of basic researches in myeloma.

Keywords: Epidemiology, Incidence, Mortality, Prevalence, Multiple myeloma