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Bone Marrow Biopsy Frequency
How often do you have a bone marrow biopsy and/or other diagnostic procedures (ie skeletal surveys, 24 hour urines, echos and pulmonary function)??
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WeatherNurse13 - Name: Gracie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 10/2012
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: Bone Marrow Biopsy Frequency
This really depends on one's individual situation. Several factors will come into play such as the stage of one's disease, whether you are stable or your disease is progressing, whether you are high risk or not, whether you are doing chemo, etc.
In my case, I am standard risk smoldering and I am fairly stable. I get all the standard multiple myeloma serum and urine lab tests every 2-3 months and skeletal xray surveys every 6 months. I probably won't get another bone marrow biopsy unless I become symptomatic or my lab numbers really go south.
Somebody that has MGUS may just get the standard lab tests every year and not get an skeletal survey unless something changed significantly on their lab tests. But somebody that is symptomatic may be getting regularly scheduled bone marrow biopsies every x months.
What is your situation?
In my case, I am standard risk smoldering and I am fairly stable. I get all the standard multiple myeloma serum and urine lab tests every 2-3 months and skeletal xray surveys every 6 months. I probably won't get another bone marrow biopsy unless I become symptomatic or my lab numbers really go south.
Somebody that has MGUS may just get the standard lab tests every year and not get an skeletal survey unless something changed significantly on their lab tests. But somebody that is symptomatic may be getting regularly scheduled bone marrow biopsies every x months.
What is your situation?
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: Bone Marrow Biopsy Frequency
I have only had two biopsies. one to confirm diagnoses at the beginning and then another shortly after my SCT. I do serum and urine every 3 months now. I was on a 2 month regimen for the 2 years following SCT.
I suspect that the answer to your question is that it depends on the individuals doctor and your unique circumstances. Like all cancers, each multiple myeloma is unique.
I suspect that the answer to your question is that it depends on the individuals doctor and your unique circumstances. Like all cancers, each multiple myeloma is unique.
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Wayne K - Name: Wayne
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself, my sister who passed in '95
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 03/09
- Age at diagnosis: 70
Re: Bone Marrow Biopsy Frequency
I've only had one bone marrow biopsy, at time of diagnosis. I have an oncologist's appointment every 6 weeks with complete blood work including SPEP and free lite testing. I tend to have a skeletal survey once a year and have had a PET/CT once when I was having what seemed like a lot of new bone pain. Fortunately nothing new showed up and my bone surveys have shown relatively stable bone lesions throughout.
My oncologist has tried to extend the time between appts a few times over the last 6 years. But, each time he does so something happens so I have seen him prior to the 3 month appointment. He has decided that I just need to be followed more closely even if nothing really changes.
As the others have said, each of us with our Myeloma is really a different story. Each of our oncologists has a different way of approaching treatment and follow-up, each of the cancer centers has a dfferent philosophy of treatment and each of us is really different in our expression of Myeloma.
I know that you have just returned to work, or will soon be returning, how is it going so far? Adjusting to working again, and for you, working in a different setting can be very difficult.
Nancy in Phila
My oncologist has tried to extend the time between appts a few times over the last 6 years. But, each time he does so something happens so I have seen him prior to the 3 month appointment. He has decided that I just need to be followed more closely even if nothing really changes.
As the others have said, each of us with our Myeloma is really a different story. Each of our oncologists has a different way of approaching treatment and follow-up, each of the cancer centers has a dfferent philosophy of treatment and each of us is really different in our expression of Myeloma.
I know that you have just returned to work, or will soon be returning, how is it going so far? Adjusting to working again, and for you, working in a different setting can be very difficult.
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 Frequency
I have just returned to work, and things are going well. I did have a bad backache after one busy day. Lots of standing and walking. My new co-workers are very nice and understanding, but I don't want to "whine" about stuff, I need to try and keep up like everyone else. Thanks for asking, Nancy!
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WeatherNurse13 - Name: Gracie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 10/2012
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: Bone Marrow Biopsy Frequency
Hi Gracie. Good luck with what sounds like demanding work.
I've lost count of how many bone marrows I've had, but it's at least six. One for initial diagnosis, one about 6 months later to see how was I doing, one a month after that because Johns Hopkins insisted on doing their own prior to SCT, then one either six months or a year later. I had one last year to confirm that I was no longer in complete remission, following the M-spike reappearing. And there were one or two others. The bottom line is it depends on the doctor and how you are doing.
Dana
I've lost count of how many bone marrows I've had, but it's at least six. One for initial diagnosis, one about 6 months later to see how was I doing, one a month after that because Johns Hopkins insisted on doing their own prior to SCT, then one either six months or a year later. I had one last year to confirm that I was no longer in complete remission, following the M-spike reappearing. And there were one or two others. The bottom line is it depends on the doctor and how you are doing.
Dana
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darnold - Name: Dana Arnold
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 52
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