Can myeloma be picked up in a blood test?

Blood tests.
Laboratory analysis of your blood may reveal the M proteins produced by myeloma cells. Another abnormal protein produced by myeloma cells — called beta-2-microglobulin — may be detected in your blood and give your doctor clues about the aggressiveness of your myeloma.


Would myeloma show up in a routine blood test?

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 signs or symptoms.

What blood test suggests myeloma?

Tests used to monitor myeloma include:
  • full blood count (FBC)
  • serum protein electrophoresis.
  • immunofixation (in some cases)
  • serum free light chains.
  • serum calcium test.
  • urea, creatinine and electrolytes test.


Can you have myeloma with normal blood work?

This term used to mean early myeloma that is not causing any symptoms or problems. Those with smoldering myeloma have normal blood counts, normal calcium levels, normal kidney function, and no bone or organ damage.

How do doctors test for myeloma?

A bone marrow biopsy is usually needed to confirm multiple myeloma. A needle is used to take a small sample of bone marrow (where all the blood cells are made) from one of your bones, usually the pelvis. A small sample of bone may also be removed.


Can myeloma be monitored using only blood testing?



What is usually the first symptom of multiple myeloma?

Multiple myeloma causes many symptoms, but bone pain often is the first symptom people notice. Other symptoms include: Weakness in your arms and legs and/or a sensation of numbness in your arms and legs. Multiple myeloma can affect the bones in your spine, causing them to collapse and press on your spinal cord.

When should I suspect myeloma?

Signs and symptoms

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.

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 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.

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.

What are the key symptoms of multiple myeloma?

When signs and symptoms do occur, they can include:
  • Bone pain, especially in your spine or chest.
  • Nausea.
  • Constipation.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Mental fogginess or confusion.
  • Fatigue.
  • Frequent infections.
  • Weight loss.


How do you feel with multiple myeloma?

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.

Can urine detect multiple myeloma?

The Bence-Jones protein urine test is used most often to diagnose and check on multiple myeloma, a type of cancer. Or an abnormal Bence-Jones test result may mean you have a type of malignant lymphoma. These are cancers of the lymphatic system. Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that affects plasma cells.

What urine test shows multiple myeloma?

Urine test (Light chain / Bence Jones protein) Your doctor is likely to ask you for a urine sample. This is to check for abnormal antibodies (paraproteins) made by myeloma cells. One part of the paraprotein is the light chain or Bence Jones protein, which the body gets rid of in the urine.


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.

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.

What triggers myeloma?

What Are Its Causes? Exposure to toxic chemicals, atomic radiation, anything that interferes with the immune system, or infection with cancer-causing viruses, may potentially be linked to the developing myeloma.


Would you know if you had myeloma?

Symptoms of multiple myeloma

It's often only suspected or diagnosed after a routine blood or urine test. Eventually, myeloma causes a wide range of problems, including: a persistent bone pain, usually in the back, ribs or hips. tiredness, weakness and shortness of breath – caused by anaemia.

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.

Are white blood cells high or low with myeloma?

Multiple myeloma most commonly causes: Low red blood cell count (anemia), which can lead to fatigue and shortness of breath. Low white blood cell count, which makes you more likely to get infections.


How long can myeloma go undiagnosed?

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.

Do you sleep a lot with myeloma?

People living with multiple myeloma can feel extremely tired even if they're getting enough sleep. This condition is called fatigue. It's important to recognize the symptoms of fatigue and to report those symptoms to your healthcare team.

Where is back pain in multiple myeloma?

Neck and/or Back Pain

Bone pain is a hallmark symptom of multiple myeloma, and it's common to feel it in the spine. As your spinal bones are weakened by the disease, they may lose the structural strength necessary to support your neck and/or back as well as they did before.


How do you check for multiple myeloma stages?

Multiple myeloma is staged using the Revised International Staging System (RISS) based on 4 factors:
  1. The amount of albumin in the blood.
  2. The amount of beta-2-microglobulin in the blood.
  3. The amount of LDH in the blood.
  4. The specific gene abnormalities (cytogenetics) of the cancer.


Does multiple myeloma show up on CBC?

Complete blood count (CBC): This measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets you have. It can tell your doctor if multiple myeloma is keeping you from making enough blood cells, and if so, how far off your count is.