Is Multiple Myeloma Hereditary? Myeloma in a Minute or Less (https://www.myeloma.org/videos/multiple-myeloma-hereditary-myeloma-minute-or-less)
Does Multiple Myeloma Run in Families?
Is multiple myeloma hereditary and should family members be screened for the cancer? Dr. Joe Mikhael, Chief Medical Officer of the International Myeloma Foundation, answers your questions.
Is multiple myeloma hereditary? Hi everyone, I’m Dr. Joseph Mikhael, Chief Medical Officer of the International Myeloma Foundation, and in less than a minute, I’ll address whether myeloma runs in families. Traditionally, myeloma isn’t considered hereditary, primarily because it’s rare and we typically don’t see multiple family members with the disease. As a result, there are currently no recommendations for family testing when someone is diagnosed with myeloma. However, as we learn more about the condition through large screening studies, like the IMF’s trial in Iceland where nearly 90,000 patients have been screened, we’re finding that certain individuals may be at higher risk. For instance, myeloma is slightly more common in men than in women and more common in individuals of African descent, like myself, than in Caucasians. In the future, we may screen more aggressively, especially in families with one or more diagnosed cases. But for now, myeloma is not generally considered hereditary. For more information about multiple myeloma or personal questions about a diagnosis, visit us at myeloma.org.
Joseph Mikhael, MD, MEd, FRCPC, FACP, FASCO
International Myeloma Foundation Medical Advisor
TGen, City of Hope Cancer Center—Phoenix, AZ, USA
Dr Mikhael is a Professor in the Clinical Genomics and Therapeutics Division at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), an affiliate of City of Hope Cancer Center. He is also the Director of Myeloma research at the HonorHealth Research Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona. Dr Mikhael specializes clinically in plasma cell disorders, namely multiple myeloma, amyloidosis, and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia. He is the PI of many clinical trials, primarily in relapsed multiple myeloma, and his other clinical research interests include pharmaco-economics, communication skills, and media relations.
Dr. Mikhael recently served as the Chief Medical Officer of the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) from 2018 to 2026 – he now serves as Medical Advisor to the IMF to provide guidance and strategic input in areas such as patient education, health disparities, collaboration with partners, international research, and publications.
Dr Mikhael has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles in these fields and lectures internationally on a regular basis. Dr. Mikhael is deeply committed to health disparities in myeloma and is the chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council at TGen. Dr. Mikhael is heavily involved in training future researchers and mentors junior faculty worldwide. Dr. Mikhael is an active member of the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) and recently led the ASCO guidelines in myeloma. Dr. Mikhael also serves as the Treasurer on the executive of the American Society of Hematology.
Dr. Mikhael did his medical training in Canada, including a fellowship in Multiple Myeloma at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. He also obtained his master’s degree in education from the University of Toronto. He then worked at the Mayo Clinic Arizona as a Hematologist from 2008-2018.