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Bone marrow biopsy every year if in complete response?
Having reached complete remission, how necessary is a yearly bone marrow biopsy?
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Meatwheel - Name: Brian
- When were you/they diagnosed?: August 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 64
Re: Bone marrow biopsy every year if in complete response?
I haven't had one since my diagnosis 8 years ago. But, each oncologist has their own way of monitoring your myeloma. Have you asked your oncologist this question?
Nancy in Phila
Nancy in Phila
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NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Bone marrow biopsy every year if in complete response?
I was wondering about this same thing. I was diagnosed 4 years ago and am still in remission (M-spike is still zero and kappa-lambda ratio still in the normal range). I've had a bone marrow biopsy every year even while in remission. Is it common to get bone marrow biopsies when you're still in remission? Is it necessary?
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DallasGG - Name: Kent
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 6/20/2013
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Bone marrow biopsy every year if in complete response?
I just discussed the same with my mother's oncologist today and he said biopsy won't be necessary.
He will do an SPEP and immunofixation once in 3-4 months once she achieves remission.
He will do an SPEP and immunofixation once in 3-4 months once she achieves remission.
Re: Bone marrow biopsy every year if in complete response?
My mother had it only once initially during her diagnosis in 2011. Her oncologist thinks she doesn't need one after that as it was only required at the time of diagnosis to know disease burden.
Re: Bone marrow biopsy every year if in complete response?
I'm being treated at a university / research hospital, and it's my impression that they seem to do biopsies more often for research purposes.
Personally, I am not opposed to this, despite the discomfort, as I wish my doctor to have as much information as possible while monitoring me in remission. Though, I understand that standard care may not call for this.
Personally, I am not opposed to this, despite the discomfort, as I wish my doctor to have as much information as possible while monitoring me in remission. Though, I understand that standard care may not call for this.
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Duke - Name: Duke
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Oct 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 48
Re: Bone marrow biopsy every year if in complete response?
My multiple myeloma specialist does not feel a bone marrow biopsy is necessary once I achieved a stringent complete response (sCR).
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torimooney - Name: tori
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: apr 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 64
8 posts
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