What are the three main factors used to diagnose myeloma?
Diagnosing myeloma involves three key areas of testing that work together to give doctors a full picture of what's going on.
Here's a breakdown of the three main factors:
- Blood tests – These check for abnormal proteins (like M proteins), beta-2 microglobulin Show Full Answer
What are the three main factors used to diagnose myeloma?
Diagnosing myeloma involves three key areas of testing that work together to give doctors a full picture of what's going on.
Here's a breakdown of the three main factors:
- Blood tests – These check for abnormal proteins (like M proteins), beta-2 microglobulin, albumin, calcium, and kidney function markers
- Bone marrow biopsy – This confirms the presence of abnormal plasma cells; a diagnosis is made when 10% or more of cells in the marrow are abnormal
- Imaging tests – X-rays, MRI, CT, or PET scans are used to detect bone damage, lesions, or tumors throughout the body
These three factors together help doctors not only confirm a myeloma diagnosis but also determine its stage, which guides treatment decisions. Always discuss your specific test results with your care team so they can explain what each finding means for your situation.
July 13
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