Does anybody know if a rise in kappa free light chains can be consequent to something else than myeloma? Are the fluctuations in kappa and lambda FLC always due to myeloma?
Thanks a lot.
Forums
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jane84 - Name: jane84
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 11,2012
- Age at diagnosis: 44
Re: Rise in kappa free light chains - possible causes?
Hi Jane,
I am not a physician, so please factor that into your reading of my answer.
Short answer, and I'll bet this is the one you want to hear
, is that FLC kappa and lambda free light chain fluctuations often are caused by factors other than multiple myeloma activity.
Because light chains are normally part of your immunoglobulins (antibodies), your immune system produces them partly in response to viruses, infections, etc. So they can fluctuate depending on stuff like that going on inside of you, rather than multiple myeloma itself.
Having said that, you do want to track the pattern of fluctuations over time and the magnitude of those fluctuations, as well as the kappa/lambda ratio, which is probably most important. But one slightly higher kappa reading in isolation most likely is not something to worry about.
Good luck to you!
Mike
I am not a physician, so please factor that into your reading of my answer.
Short answer, and I'll bet this is the one you want to hear
, is that FLC kappa and lambda free light chain fluctuations often are caused by factors other than multiple myeloma activity.Because light chains are normally part of your immunoglobulins (antibodies), your immune system produces them partly in response to viruses, infections, etc. So they can fluctuate depending on stuff like that going on inside of you, rather than multiple myeloma itself.
Having said that, you do want to track the pattern of fluctuations over time and the magnitude of those fluctuations, as well as the kappa/lambda ratio, which is probably most important. But one slightly higher kappa reading in isolation most likely is not something to worry about.
Good luck to you!
Mike
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mikeb - Name: mikeb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009 (MGUS at that time)
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Rise in kappa free light chains - possible causes?
Thank you, Mikeb, this is what I wanted to hear. However, my kappa FLC has been rising for about 10 months so far, so I guess it is not a good sign (from 42 to 80 mg/L).
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jane84 - Name: jane84
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 11,2012
- Age at diagnosis: 44
Re: Rise in kappa free light chains - possible causes?
Hi Jane,
Sounds like it is something to keep an eye on, which you're doing. How does your FLC kappa / lambda ratio look? That's probably more important than the kappa in isolation.
Best wishes and keep us posted on how things go.
Mike
Sounds like it is something to keep an eye on, which you're doing. How does your FLC kappa / lambda ratio look? That's probably more important than the kappa in isolation.
Best wishes and keep us posted on how things go.
Mike
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mikeb - Name: mikeb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009 (MGUS at that time)
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Rise in kappa free light chains - possible causes?
I have learned recently that this is a more complicated subject than I had realized. The studies I have read are conflicting. When I questioned my doctor about it, he conceded that there can be multiple causes for a rise in FLC's. In his view, it is more concerning if the rise is in the light chain that corresponds with the light chain that was "involved" at diagnosis and if it reaches 10 mg/dl or 100 mg/L in your case.
As always, your doctor is the best authority.
As always, your doctor is the best authority.
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goldmine848 - Name: Andrew
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Rise in kappa free light chains - possible causes?
If you have a kappa light chain issue, it's important to note the trend over time -- not the actual value, unless of course it's very high.
I am a kappa kind of guy and my light chains run around 10 mg/dl with a ratio of 4. They have fluctuated around this area for the last two years. If you go to any local seminars and meet all these myeloma patients, you quickly realize the numbers are all over the map. It's the trends you want to pay attention to. Many patients have double digit light chains and have had those for years with no negative effects on bones etc. I was shocked to learn this.
Just my two cents!
I am a kappa kind of guy and my light chains run around 10 mg/dl with a ratio of 4. They have fluctuated around this area for the last two years. If you go to any local seminars and meet all these myeloma patients, you quickly realize the numbers are all over the map. It's the trends you want to pay attention to. Many patients have double digit light chains and have had those for years with no negative effects on bones etc. I was shocked to learn this.
Just my two cents!
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JBarnes - Name: Jerry Barnes
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Aug 17, 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Rise in kappa free light chains - possible causes?
Thank you all for the infos. My kappa free light chains were 7700 mg/L at diagnosis, and they came down to 42 mg/L after ASCT and consolidation (with a 20 ratio). They have been rising since then and are now about 80 mg/L with a ratio of 13.1. I will have to wait till mid February to get another blood test done.
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jane84 - Name: jane84
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 11,2012
- Age at diagnosis: 44
Re: Rise in kappa free light chains - possible causes?
Hi Jane,
My husband's most recent lab results, received last Wednesday, showed a slight rise. My husband has smoldering myeloma and was diagnosed six months ago. When I showed concern, the doctor asked if my husband has had a cold recently; the answer is "yes"!
My husband's most recent lab results, received last Wednesday, showed a slight rise. My husband has smoldering myeloma and was diagnosed six months ago. When I showed concern, the doctor asked if my husband has had a cold recently; the answer is "yes"!
Re: Rise in kappa free light chains - possible causes?
I've just had my blood test report today, and, unfortunately, the kappa FLCs are still rising (up to 157.8 mg/L), and the ratio is now 175.33!
My haematologist wants to wait until he gets my MRI results (on March 10) to confirm the relapse, and start with Revlimid; first-line therapy in Belgium is thalidomide, then Revlimid when you relapse.
I am so disappointed and worried as my kappa FLCs started to rise less than one year after the transplant and consolidation. Are there any chances that I get a longer remission with Revlimid? Does such a short remission mean the disease will be more difficult to treat?
Thank you all for your support.
My haematologist wants to wait until he gets my MRI results (on March 10) to confirm the relapse, and start with Revlimid; first-line therapy in Belgium is thalidomide, then Revlimid when you relapse.
I am so disappointed and worried as my kappa FLCs started to rise less than one year after the transplant and consolidation. Are there any chances that I get a longer remission with Revlimid? Does such a short remission mean the disease will be more difficult to treat?
Thank you all for your support.
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jane84 - Name: jane84
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 11,2012
- Age at diagnosis: 44
Re: Rise in kappa free light chains - possible causes?
Hello everybody,
The MRI results I got yesterday confirm a relapse, as I have many new lesions on my vertebrae.
My kappa FLCs are still at 115 mg/L with a kappa-lambda ratio of 95.
My haematologist made a bone marrow biopsy (BMB) yesterday, as he wants to know about my genetics before starting with Revlimid and dexamethasone (I had del 13q14 at diagnosis).
My first remission was less than a year although we were expecting 5 years with autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT).
Is it reasonable to hope for a longer remission with Revlimid and dexamethasone compared to the thalidomide that I had previously?
Thank you all.
The MRI results I got yesterday confirm a relapse, as I have many new lesions on my vertebrae.
My kappa FLCs are still at 115 mg/L with a kappa-lambda ratio of 95.
My haematologist made a bone marrow biopsy (BMB) yesterday, as he wants to know about my genetics before starting with Revlimid and dexamethasone (I had del 13q14 at diagnosis).
My first remission was less than a year although we were expecting 5 years with autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT).
Is it reasonable to hope for a longer remission with Revlimid and dexamethasone compared to the thalidomide that I had previously?
Thank you all.
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jane84 - Name: jane84
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 11,2012
- Age at diagnosis: 44
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