Can multiple myeloma be misdiagnosed?

Diagnosing multiple myeloma may be difficult because it can mimic other illnesses, including arthritis, diabetes mellitus or influenza.


What can be mistaken for multiple myeloma?

Some other conditions can appear similar to multiple myeloma, including Lyme disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and arthritis. According to the National Cancer Institute , multiple myeloma may not cause any symptoms. If symptoms do appear, they can include: bone pain, particularly in the back or ribs.

What is the most definitive test to confirm a diagnosis of multiple myeloma?

Bone marrow biopsy

This test is required to confirm the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. A needle is inserted into the bone marrow space to remove a small sliver of bone marrow. Our hematopathologists examine the tissue under a microscope to determine if there are myeloma cells in the bone marrow.


Can you be misdiagnosed with myeloma?

It's a disease that is often misdiagnosed and mispronounced. “It's not melanoma, it's myeloma,” said Rafat Abonour, MD, IU Grand Challenge Precision Health Initiative multiple myeloma research team leader. “Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer.

What is the most prominent symptom of multiple myeloma?

Major symptoms of multiple myeloma may include bone pain, especially in the back and the ribs; low levels of circulating red blood cells (anemia) resulting in weakness, fatigue, and lack of color (pallor); and kidney (renal) abnormalities.


Myeloma Awareness Week 2021: Don't miss myeloma



What is the hallmark symptom of multiple myeloma?

The hallmark symptom of multiple myeloma is bone pain. It often occurs in the back, the hips, and sometimes the skull. Some patients may experience pain that is worse at night, which disrupts their sleep. When you have multiple myeloma, your bones may easily break.

What is the most common complaint of multiple myeloma?

Bone pain is the most common presenting symptom in MM. Most case series report that 70% of patients have bone pain at presentation. The lumbar spine is one of the most common sites of pain. Pathologic fractures are very common in MM; 93% of patients have more than one site of bony involvement.

Does myeloma show up on MRI?

MRI has high sensitivity for the early detection of marrow infiltration by myeloma cells. It has the ability to detect spinal cord or nerve compression and the presence of soft tissue masses and is recommended for the workup of solitary bone plasmacytoma.


When should you suspect multiple myeloma?

It's often only suspected or diagnosed after a routine blood or urine test. However, myeloma will eventually cause a wide range of problems, including: a persistent dull ache or specific areas of tenderness in your bones. weak bones that break (fracture) easily.

How long do you have multiple myeloma before diagnosis?

Some people have multiple myeloma for months or years before they even know they're sick. This earliest phase is called smoldering multiple myeloma. When you have it, you won't have any symptoms, but your test results will show: At least 10% to 59% of your bone marrow is made up of cancerous plasma cells.

What blood results indicate myeloma?

Serum free light chain or SFLC (also called light chain assay): this shows if there are small proteins called light chains in your blood, which is common in myeloma. If you have light chains in your blood but no paraprotein, this may mean you have a type of myeloma called light chain myeloma.


What blood levels indicate multiple myeloma?

The diagnosis of multiple myeloma requires either:
  • A plasma cell tumor (proven by biopsy) ...
  • At least 10% of the cells in the bone marrow be plasma cells. ...
  • M protein over a certain level in the blood (3g/dL) ...
  • M protein in the urine over a certain level (1g/dL) ...
  • Holes in bones due to tumor growth are found on imaging studies.


What is the most important blood test for multiple myeloma?

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

It is one of the most important blood tests used for diagnosing and monitoring myeloma patients. The CBC quantifies all the cells that make up the solid parts of blood. The liquid part of blood that is colorless is called serum. Blood cells are suspended in the serum.

Does myeloma show up in blood tests?

For myeloma, you have blood tests and urine tests looking for an abnormal protein (the myeloma protein is called monoclonal protein, M-protein or paraprotein). Your blood sample is sent to the laboratory. A blood doctor looks at your sample under a microscope.


What are the red flags for multiple myeloma?

High blood levels of calcium

Extreme thirst, leading to drinking a lot. Urinating (peeing) a lot. Dehydration. Kidney problems and even kidney failure.

What are the symptoms of early stage multiple myeloma?

Symptoms
  • Bone pain, especially in your spine or chest.
  • Nausea.
  • Constipation.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Mental fogginess or confusion.
  • Fatigue.
  • Frequent infections.
  • Weight loss.


Where does myeloma pain start?

Multiple myeloma can cause pain in affected bones – usually the back, ribs or hips. The pain is frequently a persistent dull ache, which may be made worse by movement.


Where does myeloma spread to first?

At first, the cells reproduce in the bone marrow of the spine. From there, they enter the bloodstream and travel to bone marrow in other parts of the body. They collect in the bone marrow and the hard, outer part of the bones. As this progression happens, the plasma cells can cause multiple tumors.

Where in the body does multiple myeloma start?

Multiple myeloma, the most common type of plasma cell tumor, develops in the bone marrow and can spread throughout the body. Solitary plasmacytoma is a single plasma cell tumor that develops in one part of the body, often in a bone.

Is multiple myeloma hot on bone scan?

The bone scan appearance of patients with disseminated multiple myeloma is variable due to the potential lack of osteoblastic activity. Larger lesions may be either hyperactive (hot) or photopenic (cold). Bone scans may also be normal.


What viruses trigger multiple myeloma?

Human herpesvirus-8 has been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of KS, BCBL, and multicentric Castleman's disease. Evidence for its role in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma is accumulating. Human herpesvirus-8 is detectable in the nonmalignant bone marrow dendritic cells from most myeloma patients.

What is the number one cause of multiple myeloma?

Scientists still do not know exactly what causes most cases of multiple myeloma. However, they have made progress in understanding how certain changes in DNA can make plasma cells become cancerous. DNA is the chemical that carries the instructions for nearly everything our cells do.

What is the root cause of multiple myeloma?

Currently, there are also no obvious, strong risk factors for myeloma. Although the mutations that cause myeloma are acquired and not inherited, family history is a known risk factor for multiple myeloma. First-degree relatives of people with multiple myeloma have a 2 to 3 times higher risk of developing the disease.


Does myeloma affect legs?

Nerve damage: Myeloma proteins can be toxic to your nerves. This can lead to a condition called peripheral neuropathy that causes a pins-and-needles feeling, often in your legs and feet.

What is the gold standard test for multiple myeloma?

Plain radiography remains the gold standard imaging procedure for staging newly diagnosed and relapsed myeloma, according to an International Myeloma Working Group consensus statement.