Essential Tests for Diagnosis and Monitoring
This resource was originally published by International Myeloma Foundation here.
Multiple myeloma tests are diverse and complex. Tests are used throughout the course of your disease — for initial diagnosis, discovering the type of myeloma you have, staging the disease, and for monitoring your response to treatment.
What Can Tests Tell Us?
Tests results are the most important tools that your doctor will use to:
- Diagnose monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM), and active myeloma.
- Assess the risk of progression of MGUS or SMM to active myeloma.
- Assess the stage of your myeloma.
- Assess your genetic risk factors.
- Evaluate your response to treatment.
- Monitor remission periods and determine when to start treatment again.
- Monitor for disease-related and treatment-related side effects.
Tests for multiple myeloma patients fall into three major categories:
- Blood and urine tests
- Bone marrow tests
- Imaging studies
No Single Test Tells the Whole Story
Each test can be thought of a piece of puzzle. Only when the pieces are assembled together can a patient and their doctor make their proper conclusions and decisions. Myeloma is unique in each patient; therefore, it’s important not to compare your test results with other myeloma patients.
We encourage you to discuss all your test results with the doctor who is treating you. Your doctor will be able to put all the puzzle pieces together to put your results in context. The patterns of results viewed over time are more meaningful than any single test itself.
Save Copies of Your Test and Lab Results
It is important to request, print out, and save copies of your results. Bring a summary of results with you when you to all oncology visits or when getting a second opinion.
Variables That May Affect Your Test Results
Be aware that your lab results can be affected by many variables, including:
- other medications and supplements that you may be taking
- the amount and type of fluids you have consumed
- whether you have eaten before the test
Before undergoing tests, consult with your doctor to make sure there are no special instructions about taking certain medications, supplements, food, or drinks.