Tell the radiologist or the radiology technician about your diagnosis before receiving dye injection into your vein, because this can cause kidney damage in people with myeloma. It is important to note that the intravenous contrast dye often used for CT scans for other types of cancer is specifically avoided in people with multiple myeloma. A computer then combines these pictures into a 3-dimensional image of the inside of the body. A CT scan creates a detailed, cross-sectional view that shows any abnormalities or tumors in soft tissues. MRI can also be used to measure a tumor’s size.Ĭomputed tomography (CT or CAT) scan. The detailed images may also show compression fractures of the spine or a tumor pressing on nerve roots. A plasmacytoma is a plasma cell tumor growing in bone marrow or soft tissue. An MRI can show if normal bone marrow has been replaced by myeloma cells or by a plasmacytoma, especially in the skull, spine, and pelvis. An MRI produces detailed images of the inside of the body using magnetic fields, not x-rays. An x-ray skeletal survey may not find myeloma as early as the more advanced tests described below. X-rays taken as part of the doctor’s evaluation of the patient’s skeletal system are typically the first step in evaluating bones when myeloma is suspected or diagnosed. An x-ray creates a picture of the structures inside of your body using a small amount of radiation. Blood tests are also used to measure kidney function, calcium levels, and blood cell counts for possible anemia and other low blood counts. These test results are important for determining the stage of the myeloma. In myeloma, LDH levels can be used to help determine prognosis, which is the chance of recovery, and the stage (see Stages). Damaged tissues release LDH into the bloodstream, so LDH is used as a sign that the body has been injured or a disease is present. LDH is an enzyme, which is a type of protein. β2-M is a small protein that plays a role in the body's immune response. Serum albumin is a blood protein made by the liver that is necessary for maintaining proper blood volume and general health. The levels of serum albumin and serum β2-M are measured using blood tests. Serum albumin and serum beta-2 microglobulin (β2-M). When a light chain is found in the urine, it is called the Bence Jones protein. This is a more sensitive test than measuring M protein in the urine, but both are important to measure.
No monoclonal protein detected free#
This test is called a serum free light chain assay. The amount of free light chains in the blood can be measured before the blood is filtered by the kidneys. In multiple myeloma, when the cancer protein level is up, the normal antibody levels are down. These antibodies are immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin A (IgA), and immunoglobulin M (IgM). Immunoglobulin levels are measured to help check the amount of antibody levels in the blood. The amount of M protein in the blood or urine is measured by serum protein electrophoresis (SPE or SPEP) or urine protein electrophoresis (UPE or UPEP).
In some people, the myeloma cells only secrete part of the antibody, which is called the light chain. M protein levels in a patient's blood and urine are used to determine the extent of the disease, as well as to monitor how well treatment is working and whether the disease is progressing or coming back. Myeloma cells often secrete the monoclonal antibody immunoglobulin, known as M protein. Blood and urine tests play a key role in diagnosing myeloma. The following tests may be used to diagnose multiple myeloma:īlood and urine tests. Your doctor may consider these factors when choosing a diagnostic test:
Not all tests described here will be used for every person. There are different tests used for diagnosing multiple myeloma. If a biopsy is not possible, the doctor may suggest other tests that will help make a diagnosis. In a biopsy, the doctor takes a small sample of tissue for testing in a laboratory. Doctors may also do tests to learn which treatments could work best.įor most types of cancer, a biopsy is the only sure way for the doctor to know if an area of the body has cancer. If the cancer has spread, it is called metastasis. They also do tests to learn if cancer has spread to another part of the body from where it started. Use the menu to see other pages.ĭoctors use many tests to find, or diagnose, cancer. ON THIS PAGE: You will find a list of common tests, procedures, and scans that doctors use to find the cause of a medical problem.
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