How is myeloma diagnosed?
Advertisement
- Blood tests. Laboratory analysis of your blood may reveal the M proteins produced by myeloma cells.
- Urine tests. Analysis of your urine may show M proteins, which are referred to as Bence Jones proteins when they’re detected in urine.
- Examination of your bone marrow.
- Imaging tests.
What blood test detects myeloma?
Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) measures the amount of immunoglobulins (antibodies) in the blood. This test looks for abnormal proteins found in myeloma. The myeloma protein is called monoclonal protein (also called M-protein, light chain, abnormal antibody or paraprotein).
What is crab criteria used for?
The C.R.A.B criteria define certain symptoms of multiple myeloma. They are an important tool that doctors use to help diagnose multiple myeloma and determine its progression. Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects the plasma cells, which are a type of white blood cell.
How does multiple myeloma make you feel?
You might feel: Sudden, severe back pain. Numbness or weakness, often in your legs. Muscle weakness, often in your legs.
What is the crab criteria and in what disease is it used for diagnosis?
These criteria are referred to by the acronym CRAB, a mnemonic aid covering four features that are associated with end-organ damage linked to myeloma progression. The four features are calcium elevation, renal insufficiency, anemia, and bone lesions.
How do you feel with multiple myeloma?
You might feel: Sudden, severe back pain. Numbness or weakness, often in your legs. Muscle weakness, often in your legs….This can slow blood flow to your brain and lead to:
- Confusion.
- Dizziness.
- Symptoms of a stroke, like drooping on one side of your face, weakness or numbness in one arm, and slurred speech.
How do leukemia patients feel?
Common leukemia signs and symptoms include: Fever or chills. Persistent fatigue, weakness. Frequent or severe infections.
Does multiple myeloma affect your feet?
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 are the symptoms of multiple myeloma?
If myeloma weakens the bones in the spine, they can collapse and press on spinal nerves. This is called spinal cord compression and can cause Sudden severe back pain Numbness, most often in the legs
What are the symptoms of hyperviscosity in multiple myeloma?
Symptoms of hyperviscosity occur in less than one in ten cases of myeloma and include problems such as bruising, nosebleeds, hazy vision, headaches, sleepiness and various other symptoms. If you develop these symptoms then you need to seek medical advice without delay.
What are the symptoms of low platelets in multiple myeloma?
Low blood counts. Shortages of red blood cells, white blood cells, and blood platelets are common in multiple myeloma and might lead to other symptoms. Anemia: A reduced number of red blood cells that can cause weakness, a reduced ability to exercise, shortness of breath, and dizziness.
Why is multiple myeloma so hard to diagnose?
Unfortunately, these symptoms could mean any number of conditions unrelated to cancer or multiple myeloma, which is part of the reason the disease can be hard to diagnose. There is not a lump that you could feel or that your doctor could look for, because the disease does not form tumors.