I have been reading the Myeloma Beacon for quite some time. This is my first posting. I hope it is ok to post this topic here?
I am 35. I have been going through a lot of tests for over a year now. I was told that they suspected MGUS since I had an elevated M-protein (3 g/dL). This week I had another appointment with my oncologist and I was told that the M-protein is no longer there ("M-protein is not quantified") and that I don't have to see my oncologist for another year now.
I was told that the body sometimes creates these M-proteins for no reason and my immune system got rid of them.
Is this true, and what does it mean?
I have tried to find studies or more information about this (i.e how many people had the same thing and whether it appeared later in life and developed into cancer) but haven't had much luck.
I can provide more information (i.e details of my last test results) if it helps clarify anything? Thank you all in advance.
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cjd - Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: August 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 35
Re: Can an M-spike disappear?
Hi,
I was diagnosed with a form of myeloma called light chain only myeloma which affects about 15 to 20% of myeloma patients. My serum protein electrophoresis tests always appear normal and show no M-spike or evidence of a paraprotein. However, I have myeloma. My disease is tracked by free light chain assays.
I would advise you to not wait a whole year to see your doctor and I would also urge you, for your own peace of mind, to make an appointment with an actual myeloma specialist, who will do a full work up if it is warranted. This site has a listing under resources which can direct you to a specialist in your region.
Good luck.
I was diagnosed with a form of myeloma called light chain only myeloma which affects about 15 to 20% of myeloma patients. My serum protein electrophoresis tests always appear normal and show no M-spike or evidence of a paraprotein. However, I have myeloma. My disease is tracked by free light chain assays.
I would advise you to not wait a whole year to see your doctor and I would also urge you, for your own peace of mind, to make an appointment with an actual myeloma specialist, who will do a full work up if it is warranted. This site has a listing under resources which can direct you to a specialist in your region.
Good luck.
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terryl1 - Name: Terry
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: August 10, 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: Can an M-spike disappear?
It would be a bit unusual for a 3 g/dL M-spike to disappear like that. Are you sure it was not a 0.3 g/dL (3 g/l) spike?
Also, did the M spike actually disappear, or was it present but too low to quantify? Does your lab report for your serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) state that your M-spike is in the beta region or gamma region?
We have patients with low-level M-spikes that do disappear over time. In these cases, the M-spike was either a false positive, or the patient's immune system dealt with what was there. This is not common, however.
Let us know if you have the answers to the above questions. Thanks!
Pete V.
Also, did the M spike actually disappear, or was it present but too low to quantify? Does your lab report for your serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) state that your M-spike is in the beta region or gamma region?
We have patients with low-level M-spikes that do disappear over time. In these cases, the M-spike was either a false positive, or the patient's immune system dealt with what was there. This is not common, however.
Let us know if you have the answers to the above questions. Thanks!
Pete V.
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Dr. Peter Voorhees - Name: Peter Voorhees, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: Can an M-spike disappear?
Thank you both for your time.
This is still all new to me and I'm struggling to understand all the various test results I received, so I appreciate your patience with the vague details. Here is what I have received. I hope this is more helpful.
October 2010:
Total Protein=77 G/L (ref. range is 60.0-82.0)
Alpha-1=2.2 G/L (1.0-2.2)
Alpha-2=9.6 G/L (5.0-9.2)
Beta=8.5 G/L (5.5-9.8)
G-Globulin=12.6 G/L (5.1-13.2)
COMMENTS: PEP shows the presence of a homogeneous band in the back gamma globulin region. It also shows slightly increased Alpha-2 globulin. Suggest immunoglobulin quantitations as well as serum and urine immunoelectrophoresis.
IGG=15.70 G/L (5.64-17.65)
IGA=1.86 G/L (0.85-3.85)
IGM=0.87 G/L (0.45-2.50)
November 2011:
I don't see the actual test results in the paperwork I was sent (just the clinic notes) for this date. The notes state "The M-protein is not quantified, but the total IgM level is 0.97. I'm sorry I don't have the actual lab results. However, I see my own Dr. next week and will make sure I ask to see a copy of those results - I suspect it may actually be 0.3 g/DL based on your suggestion.
June 2012:
Total Protein=72 G/L (60-80)
Alpha 1 Glob.=2 G/L (1-4)
Alpha 2 Glob.=9 G/L (4-10)
Beta Globulin=7 G/L (5-12)
Gamma Globulin=12 G/L (6-16)
ELECRO COMMENT: M-protein previously identified
IGG=15.20 G/L (6.35-14.65) COMMENT: HIGH
IGA=1.45 G/L (0.70-3.52)
IGM=0.85 G/L (0.41-2.07)
MCH=32.2 pg (27-32) COMMENT: HIGH
ABSOLUTE NEUTS=1.9 (2.0-7.5 X10 9/L) COMMENT: LOW
Thank you again for your time.
This is still all new to me and I'm struggling to understand all the various test results I received, so I appreciate your patience with the vague details. Here is what I have received. I hope this is more helpful.
October 2010:
Total Protein=77 G/L (ref. range is 60.0-82.0)
Alpha-1=2.2 G/L (1.0-2.2)
Alpha-2=9.6 G/L (5.0-9.2)
Beta=8.5 G/L (5.5-9.8)
G-Globulin=12.6 G/L (5.1-13.2)
COMMENTS: PEP shows the presence of a homogeneous band in the back gamma globulin region. It also shows slightly increased Alpha-2 globulin. Suggest immunoglobulin quantitations as well as serum and urine immunoelectrophoresis.
IGG=15.70 G/L (5.64-17.65)
IGA=1.86 G/L (0.85-3.85)
IGM=0.87 G/L (0.45-2.50)
November 2011:
I don't see the actual test results in the paperwork I was sent (just the clinic notes) for this date. The notes state "The M-protein is not quantified, but the total IgM level is 0.97. I'm sorry I don't have the actual lab results. However, I see my own Dr. next week and will make sure I ask to see a copy of those results - I suspect it may actually be 0.3 g/DL based on your suggestion.
June 2012:
Total Protein=72 G/L (60-80)
Alpha 1 Glob.=2 G/L (1-4)
Alpha 2 Glob.=9 G/L (4-10)
Beta Globulin=7 G/L (5-12)
Gamma Globulin=12 G/L (6-16)
ELECRO COMMENT: M-protein previously identified
IGG=15.20 G/L (6.35-14.65) COMMENT: HIGH
IGA=1.45 G/L (0.70-3.52)
IGM=0.85 G/L (0.41-2.07)
MCH=32.2 pg (27-32) COMMENT: HIGH
ABSOLUTE NEUTS=1.9 (2.0-7.5 X10 9/L) COMMENT: LOW
Thank you again for your time.
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cjd - Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: August 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 35
Re: Can an M-spike disappear?
I've now received the November 2011 results sent from my own doctor. I'm a little confused and concerned about them. It definitely states '3' not '0.03' as I had hoped.
November 16, 2011 (from the hospital lab):
As I mentioned below - the notes state "The M-protein is not quantified, but the total IgM level is 0.97"
November 28, 2011 (from the lab at my doctor):
Total Protein=65 (60-80.00)
Alpha-1=2 (1-3.00)
Alpha-2=7 (5-10.00)
Beta=6 (5-12.00)
Gamma Globulin=9 (6-14.00)
M1 Protein=3 (H) (0-.0.00).
M1 INTERPRETATION: There appears to be an M-Protein present. Further evaluation of this specimen for quantification of serum immunoglobulins and immunofixation electrophoresis can be requested.
Protein Urine=<0.04
No Free Light Chains observed by immunofixation.
IGM=0.73 (0.63-2.77)
Do you have any suggestions or advice re. these results?
With Warmest Regards.
November 16, 2011 (from the hospital lab):
As I mentioned below - the notes state "The M-protein is not quantified, but the total IgM level is 0.97"
November 28, 2011 (from the lab at my doctor):
Total Protein=65 (60-80.00)
Alpha-1=2 (1-3.00)
Alpha-2=7 (5-10.00)
Beta=6 (5-12.00)
Gamma Globulin=9 (6-14.00)
M1 Protein=3 (H) (0-.0.00).
M1 INTERPRETATION: There appears to be an M-Protein present. Further evaluation of this specimen for quantification of serum immunoglobulins and immunofixation electrophoresis can be requested.
Protein Urine=<0.04
No Free Light Chains observed by immunofixation.
IGM=0.73 (0.63-2.77)
Do you have any suggestions or advice re. these results?
With Warmest Regards.
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cjd - Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: August 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 35
Re: Can an M-spike disappear?
I realise this thread dates from some time ago, but I recently read it. Just to point out for others who might be reading it through as I was, that all the previous lab results given are in g/l. So a 3 g/l reading is in fact 0.3 g/dl. UK results also seem to tend to be given in grams per litre, whereas US results tend to be given in grams per decilitre.
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