Multiple Myeloma (cont.)
Symptoms of multiple myeloma
Common symptoms of multiple myeloma include:
- Bone pain, usually in the back
- Broken bones, usually in the spine
- Feeling weak and very tired
- Feeling very thirsty
- Frequent infections and fevers
- Weight loss
- Nausea or
constipation
- Frequent urination
Most often, these symptoms are not due to cancer. Other health problems can
cause the same symptoms. Anyone with these symptoms should tell the doctor so
that problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
Diagnosis of multiple myeloma
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.
- X-rays: You may have x-rays to check for broken or thinning
bones.
-
Biopsy: The doctor removes tissue to look for cancer cells. A biopsy is the
only sure way to know whether myeloma cells are in the bone marrow. The doctor
removes some bone marrow from your hipbone or another large bone. Local
anesthesia helps reduce the discomfort. A pathologist uses a microscope to check
the tissue for cancer cells.
There are two ways the doctor can obtain bone marrow:
- Bone marrow aspiration: The doctor uses a thin needle to remove samples
of bone marrow.
- Bone marrow biopsy: The doctor uses a thick needle to remove a small piece
of bone and bone marrow.
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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