Between 1963 and 1967, 120 cases of multiple myeloma were diagnosed in residents of metropolitan Atlanta, Ga. These cases represent an incidence of 4.0/100,000 per yr for black people and 2.1 for white people. While the rate for black people is the highest yet identified for any population, it is probably an underestimate because of underreporting for older age groups. More cases were diagnosed in winter than in summer months. Retrospective data regarding symptoms at onset suggest that this seasonal variation may at least in part reflect the winter occurrence of acute respiratory infections, which may bring existing neoplasia to medical attention.

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© 1972 by American Society of Hematology, Inc.
1972
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