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Category Archives for diagnostic testing

Best Imaging Methods – SBP, MGUS, SMM

“Our study confirms that WB MRI detects skeletal disease in a higher number of treatment-naïve (Multiple Myeloma) patients than PET/CT..” What are the best imaging methods for both myeloma

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SMM or MM- What’s the difference?

Multiple myeloma is defined as smoldering (asymptomatic) or active (symptomatic). The NCCN criteria for smoldering multiple myeloma are as follows  The presence of any of the CRAB criteria or any of

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Multiple Myeloma Diagnosis- Too Old for Stem Cell Transplant?

“multiple myeloma patients aged 70 years or older undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation have better progression-free survival but no difference in OS compared to patients who do not undergo

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Stage 1 Myeloma- B2M, Albumin, Survival?

“Survival rates vary significantly by stage of the disease. Those with serious cancers (multiple myeloma) who are in stage 1, for example, may have better survival rates than those with stage 2 or

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Stage 3 Myeloma Diagnosis w/ Kidney Disease

“Studies have also shown that bortezomib (velcade) is also effective in patients with MM who present with renal failure (kidney disease). Hello Mr.Emerson- My name is Tammy. I’m writing this

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SMM Progression- M-spike and FLC are key-

Several prediction models for SMM progression to MM have been proposed and are typically based on a combination of biomarkers at diagnosis, such as level of MP, BMPCs, and FLCr. Hi David- I have been

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Smoldering Myeloma, TTP, Risk, Non-toxic Treatment

“…though they said their model was not able to accurately discriminate between patients with one or two risk factors during the first 2 to 3 years…” Let’s be clear. A risk

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Newly Diagnosed- Multiple Myeloma Cancer Coaching Program?

Although not often openly acknowledged, “cure vs control” is the dominant philosophical difference behind many of the strategies, trials, and debates related to the management of myeloma. Hi David-

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Can Multiple Myeloma Survivors Heal Bone Damage?

Myeloma Bone Damage (MBD) needs a multidisciplinary approach including anti myeloma treatment and the use of other supportive modalities like BPs, radiotherapy, pain control, vertebro-kyphoplasty, and

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What is the Most Definitive Test to Diagnose Multiple Myeloma?

What is the most definitive test to diagnose multiple myeloma? What lab tests diagnose Multiple Myeloma? What blood tests indicate Multiple Myeloma? “Hi, I just got diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma

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Multiple Myeloma Remission- More Chemotherapy or No?

“William Li presents a new way to think about treating cancer and other diseases: anti-angiogenesis, preventing the growth of blood vessels that feed a tumor…” Dear David- When I was

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Multiple Myeloma Diagnostics- MRI w/ Contrast for Myeloma Survivors-

““All current FDA-approved MR contrast agents contain gadolinium, which in 2006 was associated with a devastating condition called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in patients with impaired kidney

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