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In a previous study of nearly 1400 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), Mayo Clinic researchers reported an 8% risk for progression to myeloma or related disorders during a median follow-up of 15 years (see Journal Watch Feb 26 2002). Now, in a study from Spain, researchers describe the natural history of MGUS in 359 patients: 29 had “evolving MGUS” (defined as steadily increasing concentration of the monoclonal protein during the first 3 years of follow-up), and 330 had “nonevolving MGUS” (no increase during the first 3 years).
During a median follow-up of 8 years, 32 patients (9%) developed malignant transformation (mostly myeloma). This transformation occurred in 48% of the 29 patients with evolving MGU…