Twenty eight cases of multiple myeloma collected from 7 medical centers in Korea
during the past 12 years period from 1959-1970 were analized. The results of the
analysis were as follows.
1). Annual incidence of the multiple myeloma showed increasing tendency but the
accurate rate of increase could not be figured out.
2). Age incidence revealed 26 cases (93%) at ages after 40, or 21 cases (75%) after
50. Other 2 cases were noted at fourth decade. In sex incidence, 19 male and 9 female
cases were noted showing 2.1 to 1 in male to female sex ratio.
3). Clinical findings were as following in frequency; pain in 71.4%, pallor in 50.0%,
gastrointestinal trouble in 46.4%, weight loss in 42.8%, neurologic sign in 39.3%, fever in
39.3%, bleeding in 21.4%, palpable liver in 21.4% and palpable bone tumor in 10.7%.
Among the neurologic manifestation and signs, numbness of extremities and decreased
or absent D. T. R. were 14.2% in each, and other manifestation were muscular
weakness (7.2%) and paraplegia, paralysis, muscular atrophy and sensory disturbance of
legs (3.6% in each).
Bone involvement demonstrated by x-ray examination revealed skull in 50%, spinal
column in 43%, ribs and pelvic bone in 35.7% each. Other infrequently involved bones
were scapula, humerus, femur, clavicle, fibula and sternum.
4). Laboratory examination revealed;
a. Anemia in 82%, leukopenia in 41%, thrombocytopenia in 50% and increased E. S. R.
in 67-100% during the course.
b. Hyperproteinemia in 55-78%, reversed A/G ratio in 67-71%, hyperphosphatemia in
44-60%, hypercalcemia in 1 case and high uric acid level in 33-75% during the course.
c. Elevated fraction in electrophoresis revealed γ-globulin in 65%, β-globulin in 25%
and α-g1obulin in 10%.
d. Albuminuria in 60%, calciuria in 33% and Bence-Jones proteinuria in 20% of cases.
5). Recent advance in diagnosis and therapeutic results of this series were discussed.
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