Follow-up care after treatment for multiple myeloma is important. Your doctor will monitor your health and check for recurrence or changes in the cancer. Checkups help ensure that any changes in your health are noted and treated as needed. Checkups may include a physical exam, lab tests, bone marrow aspiration, and x-rays. Between scheduled visits, you should contact the doctor right away if you have any health problems.

To help answer questions about follow-up care and other concerns, the NCI has a booklet for people who have completed their treatment. Facing Forward Series: Life After Cancer Treatment ¹ provides tips for making the best use of medical visits. It describes how to talk with the doctor about creating a plan of action for recovery and future health.

Glossary Terms

Cancer that has recurred (come back), usually after a period of time during which the cancer could not be detected. The cancer may come back to the same place as the original (primary) tumor or to another place in the body. Also called recurrent cancer.