Multiple Myeloma in Cameroon: Clinico-Biological Characteristics of Patients; an Experience from Douala General Hospital

Background: Multiple myeloma is the most common haematological malignancy among blacks. There is paucity of data on this subject in Africa in general and Cameroon in Cameroon. This study aims at describing initial clinical and basic laboratory features of multiple myeloma in Douala general hospital. Methods: This was a retrospective cross sectional review of the medical records of all patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma in Douala general hospital between 2007 and 2013. Results: A total of 62 patients were included in the study with an annual rate of 10-11 cases per annum. There was a female predominance with a male female sex ratio of 0.6:1 and a mean age of 57.6±12.2 years. Clinical features at presentation were low back pain (72.6%), and anemia (70.9%), while neurologic impairment and nephropathy were found in 66.2% and 17.5% of the patients respectively. Most (63%) of the patients were diagnosed at stage three of the disease at presented with already established complications. Conclusion: Multiple myeloma is more common in our context than described in literature presenting in the 5th and 6th decades of life. Most patients present late with already established complications.