I had a biopsy last Friday - 4 cm nodes under right arm. I had 2 cm nodes for 6 months and they started to double in size. My appointment is Friday to discuss my results.
I received a call today requesting that I come in for the following blood work tomorrow: B2M, LDH, CMC & CRO? They would not tell me what tests initially, and then told me after I told them I wouldn't come in until Friday. She said they needed the results by Friday.
I am so confused. I looked up the B2M test and it's a staging test for multiple myeloma.
Can someone who knows the protocol after a biopsy elaborate? They are not telling me anything.
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Re: Do the tests I'm scheduled for mean I may have myeloma?
B2M is not exclusive to myeloma. It is checked in other types of blood disorders -- the most relevant in your case being lymphoma. The doctors almost assuredly are not concerned with myeloma based on your presenting symptoms, but they may suspect a form of lymphoma and would therefore be interested in these lab results.
This would not be the place to discuss lymphoma. However, you should be aware that there are more than 70 different subtypes, but all are treatable. You really need to wait until you have a diagnosis before you can start to educate yourself about the prognosis, treatment, etc.
Hope you get some clarity ASAP.
This would not be the place to discuss lymphoma. However, you should be aware that there are more than 70 different subtypes, but all are treatable. You really need to wait until you have a diagnosis before you can start to educate yourself about the prognosis, treatment, etc.
Hope you get some clarity ASAP.
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Dr. James Hoffman - Name: James E. Hoffman, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: Do the tests I'm scheduled for mean I may have myeloma?
Thank you so much for responding. Why wouldn't they wait until I come in on Friday to do labs? Is it possible that my biopsy results are in and these labs are a result of that?
Just trying to understand.
Just trying to understand.
Re: Do the tests I'm scheduled for mean I may have myeloma?
Cannot guess as to the motive, and it wouldn't be helpful to do so anyway. Think you will have to wait until the visit.
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Dr. James Hoffman - Name: James E. Hoffman, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: Do the tests I'm scheduled for mean I may have myeloma?
Sonymich wrote: "Can someone who knows the protocol after a biopsy elaborate? They are not telling me anything."
Dear S,
Ask the nurse/physician you meet next time, or make a call to the secretary at the department at the hospital: "Who is your responsible physician or contact nurse, and when should I expect to be called in to a consultation to go through the findings and conclusions?"
It is scary to be confronted with the risk of suffering from something serious. And confusion etc. etc. is not uncommon. Do you have a close relative or friend who could join you at the hospital, or at least when going to important consultations?
You write that the professionals performing the tests do not tell you anything. Writing from my context (Scandinavia), the patient has the right to all information available*. But the physician, laborant, nurse, radiologist, or whoever it is doing the individual test on you may not know about the full picture and why those who are in charge want this done. Usually, they will have to go through the results and do analysis and evaluations before returning them to the physician / department who ordered the examination or test.
Therefore they will probably avoid telling you about the findings. They may be premature, out of context, or they need to be explained to you in an orderly manner.
So do not expect every "professional" you meet to give you a conclusion or a full picture.
Best regards
*In my country all tests, analysis and reports are available to me and all physicians I permit to see them. Including all prescribed medicine and much more. All public hospitals, laboratories et al are connected and must update with their information on me.
I can then log in and see all the the same information. For many results, there is a delay for up till 2-3 weeks. You are asked to give formal permission to the hospital / physicians to view and/or share this information with other professionals involved in your treatment. In principle, you could say no
.
Many people do not log into their national health account, but with multiple myeloma it is nice
to have access to the same data as the people treating you.
Dear S,
Ask the nurse/physician you meet next time, or make a call to the secretary at the department at the hospital: "Who is your responsible physician or contact nurse, and when should I expect to be called in to a consultation to go through the findings and conclusions?"
It is scary to be confronted with the risk of suffering from something serious. And confusion etc. etc. is not uncommon. Do you have a close relative or friend who could join you at the hospital, or at least when going to important consultations?
You write that the professionals performing the tests do not tell you anything. Writing from my context (Scandinavia), the patient has the right to all information available*. But the physician, laborant, nurse, radiologist, or whoever it is doing the individual test on you may not know about the full picture and why those who are in charge want this done. Usually, they will have to go through the results and do analysis and evaluations before returning them to the physician / department who ordered the examination or test.
Therefore they will probably avoid telling you about the findings. They may be premature, out of context, or they need to be explained to you in an orderly manner.
So do not expect every "professional" you meet to give you a conclusion or a full picture.
Best regards
*In my country all tests, analysis and reports are available to me and all physicians I permit to see them. Including all prescribed medicine and much more. All public hospitals, laboratories et al are connected and must update with their information on me.
I can then log in and see all the the same information. For many results, there is a delay for up till 2-3 weeks. You are asked to give formal permission to the hospital / physicians to view and/or share this information with other professionals involved in your treatment. In principle, you could say no
.Many people do not log into their national health account, but with multiple myeloma it is nice
to have access to the same data as the people treating you.-
Lev - Name: Lev
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 57
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