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Multiple Myeloma Diagnostics- FISH, SPEP, CBC, FLC’s and Imaging

Multiple Myeloma Diagnostics- FISH, SPEP, CBC, FLC’s and Imaging

3 years ago
/ diagnostic testing Multiple Myeloma Multiple Myeloma Diagnostic Criteria Newly Diagnosed
/ By David Emerson
/ 4 COMMENTS

If you have multiple myeloma your plasma cells produce unhealthy antibodies called monoclonal proteins (M proteins). The accumulation of M proteins in your body can damage organs like your kidneys and liver…”

As a long-term multiple myeloma (MM) survivor who has been scanned, nuked, stuck, pricked and bled more times than I care to remember, I can tell you that multiple myeloma diagnostics are critical because:

MM is often misdiagnosed and
MM is in all about the details.

What I mean by “all about the details” is that MM patients can have MM with few outward symptoms or MMers can have painful symptoms and yet have an early stage of even pre-multiple myeloma (SBP, MGUS, or SMM). The best way for you to learn what’s going on inside you is/are the MM diagnostic tests outlined below.

In order for you to be properly diagnosed for MM, your oncologist will examine your blood, your urine and your bones.

The most important thing for the MM patient to understand is that his/her stage at diagnosis is the single most important prognostic factor possible.

Meaning, your overall survival is largely dependent on your stage at MM diagnosis. I look at early stage MM to be almost a different disease than MM that is diagnosed at stage 2 or 3 with extensive organ involvement (bone, kidney damage).

While the five types of tests listed below are by no means an exhaustive list of tests that you will take as a MM survivor, I’ve listed these tests because I’ve taken each test repeatedly.

When I say “repeatedly,” I mean I’ve been looking at my blood, urine, bones, etc. every year, sometimes several times during a year, since my diagnosis in early 1994.

Granted, I’ve only had my blood sampled once a year for the past dozen or so years (SPEP is fast and cheap so as long as my FLCs are in the normal range, I’m happy)

If you’d like to learn more about the evidence-based therapies I have followed for the past 25 years to remain in remission, please scroll down the page, post a question or comment and I will reply to ASAP.

I am both a MM survivor and MM cancer coach. Have you been diagnosed with MM? Please scroll down the page, post a question or comment and I will reply to you ASAP.

Thank you,

David Emerson

MM Survivor
MM Cancer Coach
Director PeopleBeatingCancer

What to Expect After a Multiple Myeloma Diagnosis

“Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer caused by malignant plasma cells in your bone marrow. Plasma cells produce antibodies that help your body fight infections. If you have multiple myeloma your plasma cells produce unhealthy antibodies called monoclonal proteins (M proteins). The accumulation of M proteins in your body can damage organs like your kidneys and liver….”

Asking your doctor the right questions is an important first step after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Getting the right information will help guide your next steps. This will mean moving forward with the best treatment plan…

Detection of genomic abnormalities…

“A number of different genomic abnormalities are associated with MM; however, detection of these by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) can be limited by the percentage of PCs in the specimen…”

What Is a Complete Blood Count?

“A complete blood count (CBC) is a test that measures the cells that make up your blood: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Your doctor may order a CBC as part of a routine check-up or to:

Check for anemia
See if you have another health issue or to explain symptoms like weakness, fever, bruising, or feeling tired
Keep an eye on a blood condition you already have
See how medications or treatments like chemotherapy are affecting your blood..”

Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPEP)

“As part of a regular health checkup, your doctor may order blood work. This often includes a total serum protein test. It measures the amount of protein in your blood. This can give you insight into your general health. It can also be used to look for some serious health problems.

Your liver’s in charge of making most of the proteins that are in your blood. They are important for good health.Two of the key ones are:Albumin. This carries medicines and hormones throughout your body. It also helps with tissue growth and healing.Globulin. This is a group of proteins. Some of them are made by your liver. Others are made by your immune system. They help fight infection and transport nutrients.The total serum protein test measures all the proteins in your blood. It can also check the amount of albumin you have compared to globulin, or what’s called your “A/G ratio…””

Urine Analysis-

“Urine tests may be better than serum tests to diagnose multiple myeloma or its precursor conditions, because they can spot cases that would be missed by serum screenings, a study has found.

Serum free light chain tests may fail to diagnose about 25 percent of the people with multiple myeloma or the conditions that may precede it, the researchers report…”

Imaging of multiple myeloma: Current concepts

“Medical imaging is of crucial importance for diagnosis and initial staging as well as for differentiation of multiple myeloma (MM) from other monoclonal plasma cell diseases.

Conventional radiography represents the reference standard for diagnosis of MM due to its wide availability and low costs despite its known limitations such as low sensitivity, limited specificity and its inability to detect extraosseous lesions.

Besides conventional radiography, newer cross-sectional imaging modalities such as

whole-body low-dose computed tomography (CT),
whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ¹⁸
F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT are available for the diagnosis of osseous and extraosseous manifestations of MM..”

Diagnosed with Cancer? Your two greatest challenges are understanding cancer and understanding possible side effects from chemo and radiation. Knowledge is Power!

Multiple Myeloma Diagnostics- FISH, SPEP, CBC, FLC’s and Imaging

If you have multiple myeloma your plasma cells produce unhealthy antibodies called monoclonal proteins (M proteins). The accumulation of M proteins in your body can damage organs like your kidneys and liver…”

Recommended Reading:

What to Expect After a Multiple Myeloma Diagnosis

Asking your doctor the right questions is an important first step after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Getting the right information will help guide your next steps. This will mean moving forward with the best treatment plan…

Detection of genomic abnormalities…

What Is a Complete Blood Count?

Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPEP)

Urine Analysis-

Imaging of multiple myeloma: Current concepts

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