HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury

MGUS

Pūmua rereke ki te toto (MGUS)

MGUS stands for monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance. It's a benign (non-cancerous) condition where the body makes an abnormal protein, called a paraprotein. This abnormal protein is found in your blood or urine.

We do not know what causes MGUS. The chance of developing it increases with age.

MGUS doesn't cause any symptoms, so it's only picked up from blood or urine tests taken for other reasons.

MGUS doesn't usually need any treatment. In most people, it stays stable and never causes any problems. But if you've been diagnosed with MGUS, it's important to have ongoing check-ups, as occasionally MGUS can develop into a cancer such as myeloma or lymphoma. Your general practice team will usually follow up with blood and urine tests every six to 12 months.

See your general practice team if you have any of these symptoms:

• bone pain
• frequent infections
• unexplained weight loss
• night sweats
• new lumps or swelling.

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

• Leukaemia.org.nz – Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)

  This information sheet explains the background, symptoms and management of MGUS (The link opens a PDF.)

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed February 2023.

Sources

Page reference: 62267

Review key: HIMGU-16173