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Bone marrow biopsy recommended for MGUS?
Does anyone know if it is recommended to have a bone marrow biopsy when you have MGUS? Thanks.
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Lillyput189 - Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: MGUS 2011, multiple myeloma 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Bone marrow biopsy recommended for MGUS?
I can't really answer that, but I do know someone with MGUS and they have one once a year.
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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 recommended for MGUS?
Thanks Wayne. I'm unclear if I need this or not. I do have IgA lambda MGUS. I want to stay on top of this because my brother has stage IIIa multiple myeloma. Thanks again for your response.
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Lillyput189 - Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: MGUS 2011, multiple myeloma 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Bone marrow biopsy recommended for MGUS?
So, I'm borderline smoldering (my 11% plasma cell count just pushes me just over the edge from MGUS) and that's where my primary oncologist and I are coming from.
You obviously need an initial BMB to first be diagnosed correctly. However, my doc won't request another one for me until my markers substantially change or I become symptomatic and require treatment.
My doc would recommend all the standard serum/urine lab tests and imaging once a year for MGUS. For smoldering, he recommends lab tests every 2-3 months and imaging twice a year (I always push for lab tests every two months since I'm ever-curious as to how things are going). However, note that we discussed that we might start imaging less often (maybe every 9 months or so?), as my markers have been trending flat to down. This is great by me since I have no desire to get hit with all those rads from the Xray survey and I can't find any place that does whole body MRIs in Colorado.
I consider BMBs to be a walk in the park and did mine with no sedation with zero problems and then and drove myself home afterwards. I would happily do them every couple of months, but again, my doc just sees no reason to order another one unless something dramatically changes on my labs or xrays.
Since you have a history of multiple myeloma in your family, I think it would be reasonable to ask for lab tests every 6 months (or maybe even 4 months, if that makes you feel more comfortable), so that you can stay on top of it. But repeatedly doing a BMB would be excessive IMHO.
Hope this helps.
You obviously need an initial BMB to first be diagnosed correctly. However, my doc won't request another one for me until my markers substantially change or I become symptomatic and require treatment.
My doc would recommend all the standard serum/urine lab tests and imaging once a year for MGUS. For smoldering, he recommends lab tests every 2-3 months and imaging twice a year (I always push for lab tests every two months since I'm ever-curious as to how things are going). However, note that we discussed that we might start imaging less often (maybe every 9 months or so?), as my markers have been trending flat to down. This is great by me since I have no desire to get hit with all those rads from the Xray survey and I can't find any place that does whole body MRIs in Colorado.
I consider BMBs to be a walk in the park and did mine with no sedation with zero problems and then and drove myself home afterwards. I would happily do them every couple of months, but again, my doc just sees no reason to order another one unless something dramatically changes on my labs or xrays.
Since you have a history of multiple myeloma in your family, I think it would be reasonable to ask for lab tests every 6 months (or maybe even 4 months, if that makes you feel more comfortable), so that you can stay on top of it. But repeatedly doing a BMB would be excessive IMHO.
Hope this helps.
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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 recommended for MGUS?
Thanks Mountain Guy for your input!
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Lillyput189 - Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: MGUS 2011, multiple myeloma 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Bone marrow biopsy recommended for MGUS?
Hi Lillyput189 - I was diagnosed with MGUS 2 years ago. Initially, 24 hour urine, more blood tests, and scans were ordered. Although they were negative, my oncologist felt my spike was high (1.5) and ordered a BMB which revealed IG MGUS. Since then I only do blood tests every 6-8 months and visit oncologist once per year. The last blood test was basically the same with spike trending down (.9). The BMB provides good information about the genetics and progression risk. Good luck, Diane
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Dianem
Re: Bone marrow biopsy recommended for MGUS?
Thanks, Diane. Appreciate your comments!
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Lillyput189 - Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: MGUS 2011, multiple myeloma 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 54
7 posts
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