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Real members of MyMyelomaTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
July 29
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A MyMyelomaTeam Member

I have igg mgus but my Light chain is abnormally high and my free light chain ratio is all Kappa and it is abnormal. Reading this may be cause for a bmb. Currently my hematologist only gave me a basic bone, skeletal x-ray that did not show any big lesions and does not seem concerned about it. Abnormally free light chain ratio, which is very uncommon and points to light chain myeloma working on finding another hematologist oncologist at the moment for a second opinion, as I am being told by my primary doctor that that is caused right there for at least an MRI or low-dose CT scan or even a bone marrow biopsy to be able to know for sure if it has progressed to something more

July 31
A MyMyelomaTeam Member

No I do not have light chain myeloma I have IGA Kappa Myeloma which is progressing very slowly. In the 3 years since I was upgraded to SMM I have had 2 pet scans both have been negative for tumors and lesions. Early on in my diagnosis I did have xrays once or twice but I beleive that was when I was just MGUS.

July 31
A MyMyelomaTeam Member

Did you have an abnormally high free light chain ratio by any chance or just the M Spike?

July 30
A MyMyelomaTeam Member

Hi when I was first diagnosis with MGUS I only received xrays. I then requested a bone marrow Biopsy which showed 10-13% which then entitled me to an Pet Scan. My doctor insisted on doing a MRI of my back before doing the PET scan both of which came back negative for tumors and lesions. Here in Canada without the Bone Marrow results I would not have been entitled to the PET scan. Have you had a bone marrow biopsy done yet? If not that is what I would asking for, as it is very important for diagnosis and treatment. PS. I was moved from MGUS to Smoldering after the BMB.

July 30
MyMyelomaTeam

It sounds like there may be some concern about whether the imaging ordered is thorough enough given the lab findings. That's a really valid thing to think about.

An abnormal free light chain ratio combined with a low M spike can be a sign of light chain myeloma, where the body produces only the smaller "light chain" part Show Full Answer

It sounds like there may be some concern about whether the imaging ordered is thorough enough given the lab findings. That's a really valid thing to think about.

An abnormal free light chain ratio combined with a low M spike can be a sign of light chain myeloma, where the body produces only the smaller "light chain" part of abnormal proteins rather than the full antibody. When it comes to finding lesions, there are several imaging options available, each with different strengths:

- X-rays — the most basic option, less sensitive for early or small lesions
- CT scans — more sensitive than X-rays, good for staging
- MRI — highly sensitive, especially for bone marrow involvement, and has been part of myeloma diagnostic criteria since 2014
- PET scans — uses a radioactive sugar to highlight active cancer cells

MRI is considered particularly valuable for detecting myeloma in bone marrow, and PET scans can highlight active disease very clearly. It would be completely reasonable to ask your doctor why a specific imaging type was chosen and whether a more sensitive option like MRI or PET/CT might be appropriate given your lab results. Advocating for yourself in these conversations is important, and a second opinion from a myeloma specialist is always an option worth considering.

July 29

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