OBJECTIVES: Bortezomib (BOR), lenalidomide (LEN), thalidomide (THAL) are available to patients with multiple myeloma (MM) in Japan, and new drugs are also to be launched. Introduction of Health Technology Assessment in FY2016 is aimed in Japan. The severity and its expensive treatment cost of MM disease may become important subjects to be discussed although a lack of resources for assessing cost-effectiveness of treatment has been pointed out in Japan. The objective of this study was to sort epidemiological data and information on currently available treatments for MM through a systematic review and to estimate an expected total medical cost for relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM) patients.  METHODS: The literature search was conducted in MEDLINE and Ichushi-Web. Eligible studies were those of Japanese patients and published in the past 10 years. Studies were assessed for the followings: incidence and prevalence rate, number of patients, mortality rate, development rate of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), and clinical effectiveness of current therapies. Expected total medical cost per RRMM patient was calculated from a model with overall survival and progression-free survival of RRMM patients based on literature review, assuming salvage therapies were comprised of BOR, LEN, and THAL. RESULTS: Annual incidence and 5-year prevalence rates of MM were reported as 1.3 to 5.4 and 9.7 per 100,000 persons, respectively. Although mortality rates were reported, data on AML development of MM patients tended to lack. Clinical trials of BOR and THAL-based treatments were found, while there was only one for LEN-based treatment. An expected total medical cost for RRMM patient was estimated to be over €100,000 (1,383,000 yen). CONCLUSIONS: While the study indicated large medical resources usage of MM and the necessity of cost-effective evaluation for MM treatments, few studies have revealed its burden. Further studies on current situation surrounding MM treatments are expected.