I am a 350 lb. male age 62. I have had smoldering Myeloma since i was 41. I have two issues:
#1. Due to my weight I can not fit in the MRI machine and must rely on Skeletal X-Ray is this going to be a problem for me?
#2. When I ask my doctor if i have Myeloma he tell me yes, even through it is classified as smoldering Myeloma and he reviews my blood every 3 months. I have read due to my many years smoldering there is a low percentage of progressing to full Myeloma. Is This true?
#3. My doctor has recommended I take a green tea supplement. he states in some cases there has been an improvement in blood levels; are there any publications that can tell me more about this? The name of the supplement is Theaflavin Standardized Extract 350 MG.
Thank You
RagtopSL
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Re: Can not get MRI
1) There are open MRI machines that can be used in such instances. The image quality is not as good, but still quite respectable. If you have had smoldering myeloma for many years with no evidence of progression by other parameters, the utility of the MRI may be lower, unless you are having unexplained bone pain, in which case it would be worthwhile to pursue.
2) The risk of progression to full blown myeloma from the time of diagnosis of smoldering myeloma is 10% per year for the first 5 years (i.e. 50% will have full blown myeloma within the first 5 years), 3% per year for the next 5 years (an additional 15% over the next 5 years, 65% of the total within the first 10 years of diagnosis) and 1% per year thereafter. In other words, if you have not had progression of smoldering myeloma over 10 years of observation, the risk of progression drops back to that of an MGUS patient.
3) There is likely no harm in doing this and compounds from green tea have shown efficacy in the laboratory when used on myeloma cell lines. However, there is no data that this is of benefit in patients.
Hope this helps. Good luck and take care!
Pete V.
2) The risk of progression to full blown myeloma from the time of diagnosis of smoldering myeloma is 10% per year for the first 5 years (i.e. 50% will have full blown myeloma within the first 5 years), 3% per year for the next 5 years (an additional 15% over the next 5 years, 65% of the total within the first 10 years of diagnosis) and 1% per year thereafter. In other words, if you have not had progression of smoldering myeloma over 10 years of observation, the risk of progression drops back to that of an MGUS patient.
3) There is likely no harm in doing this and compounds from green tea have shown efficacy in the laboratory when used on myeloma cell lines. However, there is no data that this is of benefit in patients.
Hope this helps. Good luck and take care!
Pete V.
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Dr. Peter Voorhees - Name: Peter Voorhees, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
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