What is MGUS?

You might already know that multiple myeloma is more common among African Americans, but why? The answer might have something to do with a condition called MGUS.

MGUS (pronounced “em guss”) is short for monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. Now, that’s a mouthful, so most doctors just say MGUS for short.

MGUS is a condition in which an abnormal protein (called monoclonal protein or M-protein) is in your blood.

MGUS isn’t cancer and it’s not a dangerous condition, but it can progress to active multiple myeloma. African Americans are more likely to develop MGUS and do so at a younger age.

This could be part of the reason why myeloma is so much more common in the African-American community.