Diagnosis
Doctors sometimes find multiple myeloma after a routine blood test. More often,
doctors suspect multiple myeloma after an
x-ray
for a broken bone. Usually
though, patients go to the doctor because they are having other symptoms.
To find out whether such problems are from multiple myeloma or some other
condition, your doctor may ask about your personal and family medical history
and do a physical exam. In addition, your doctor may order some of the
following tests and exams:
-
Blood tests: The lab checks the level of blood cells and other
substances. Myeloma causes a high level of plasma cells and
calcium.
Most
people with myeloma have
anemia.
Myeloma also causes high levels of certain
proteins. The lab checks for M protein,
beta-2-microglobulin, and other
proteins.
-
Urine tests: The lab checks for
Bence Jones protein, a type of M
protein, in urine. The lab measures the amount of Bence Jones protein in urine
collected over a 24-hour period.
If the lab finds a high level of Bence Jones protein in your urine sample,
doctors will monitor your kidneys. Bence Jones protein can clog the kidneys and
damage them.
You may want to ask the doctor these questions before having a biopsy:
-
How will the biopsy be done?
-
Where will I have my biopsy?
-
How long will it take? Will I be awake? What will I feel? Will it hurt?
-
Are there any risks? What are the chances of infection or bleeding after the
procedure?
-
How long will it take me to recover?
-
How soon will I know the results? Who will explain them to me?
-
If I do have cancer, who will talk to me about the next steps? When?
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