Multiple Myeloma

Healthcare providers diagnose multiple myeloma by doing a physical examination, asking about your symptoms and asking about your family medical history. They may do several tests to confirm a diagnosis. Based on what they learn, they’ll then decide the condition’s classification so they can determine the cancer’s stage, or the cancer tumor(s) size or location.

What tests do healthcare providers use to diagnose multiple myeloma?

Healthcare providers may do blood tests, imaging tests and urine tests to confirm you have multiple myeloma and, if you do, whether your disease is in early or late stages. Here’s information on specific tests:

• Complete blood count (CBC): This test measures your red and white blood cell numbers, the amount of hemoglobin in your red blood cells and your red blood cell concentration level.
• Blood chemistry test: This test shows your creatine levels (how well your kidneys work), albumin levels (this is a protein), calcium levels and lactic dehydrogenase levels (LDH). LDH is a tumor marker. A tumor marker is a substance in cancerous cells or healthy cells responding to cancer.
• Quantitative immunoglobulin test: This blood test measures the levels of certain antibodies in your blood.
• Electrophoresis: This test looks for M proteins in your blood.
• Urine tests: Healthcare providers may ask you to collect your urine at home over a 24-hour period so they can test for Bence Jones protein, another sign of multiple myeloma.
• X-rays: Healthcare providers use X-rays to look for bones damaged by multiple myeloma.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan: This is another way to look for bone damage.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test uses radio waves and strong magnets to create detailed images of your bones and spine. Healthcare providers may use this test to look for plasmacytomas. These are single groups of abnormal plasma cells.
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: This is another test for plasmacytomas.
• Bone marrow biopsies: Healthcare providers may do bone marrow biopsies to analyze the percentage of normal and abnormal plasma cells in your bone marrow. They may also test your bone marrow sample for changes in your DNA that may drive cancer growth.