[mrozdav]

Tests for detecting an extramedullary plasmacytoma?

by mrozdav on Tue Sep 01, 2015 1:03 pm

Could someone clarify for me how extramedullary plasmacytomas are found within the body? Specifically, is it done through the usual blood tests we get? If so, what are the markers that point to these tumors?

[BeatMyeloma]

Re: Tests for detecting an extramedullary plasmacytoma?

by BeatMyeloma on Tue Sep 01, 2015 2:20 pm

In my mother's case, a rise in IgA tipped her hematologist off to the fact that something was wrong. And then they did a CT, followed by an ultrasound in gynecology (they thought originally that the plasmacytoma near her uterus was uterine cancer), followed by a PET.

They have used a PET ever since then to track that, in addition to blood tests, of course.

[mrozdav]

Re: Tests for detecting an extramedullary plasmacytoma?

by mrozdav on Tue Sep 01, 2015 2:41 pm

BeatMyeloma,

Thanks. It was your mother's EMP that prompted my question and your indicating that her IgA had suddenly risen so dramatically which was a tip off. I had previously read, however, that normally the M-spike and other blood tests appear normal, but maybe I misread. I tried to locate the articles I had read, but could not find them.

[BeatMyeloma]

Re: Tests for detecting an extramedullary plasmacytoma?

by BeatMyeloma on Tue Sep 01, 2015 5:12 pm

Well, my mother doesn't have a M spike. Apparently a lot of IgA patients don't. Not sure why though. Her relapses have been very asymptomatic though.

[Little Monkey]

Re: Tests for detecting an extramedullary plasmacytoma?

by Little Monkey on Tue Sep 01, 2015 7:44 pm

Initially, my father had no M spike (intermedullary though); it was the MRI due to pain and numbness which flagged the neoplasm.

[Mona]

Re: Tests for detecting an extramedullary plasmacytoma?

by Mona on Thu Sep 03, 2015 3:47 am

I was originally diagnosed with multiple myeloma due to extreme back pain and then blood work . After radiation, Revlimid, Velcade, dex and and auto stem cell transplant, I went on Revlimid maintenance with a complete response. About a year later, I had an infection and had an X-ray to check for pneumonia. The radiologist spotted something, but wasn't sure, so I had several other scans that confirmed an extramedullary plasamycytoma tumor in the pleura around my left lung. It was found to be malignant. It was found by accident due to my infection.

I started treatment of Kyprolis, Revlimid and dex in February 2015 and have scans each quarter to check the status of the tumor. I also have regular blood work and 24-hour urine to test for other myeloma markers. My understanding is the extramedullary rumors can only be monitored by scans, since they are not in the blood and bones.

Even though the last CT/PET scan showed the tumor is gone, my doctor recommended staying on treatment for now since I have high-risk multiple myeloma.

Hope this isn't too much info.

Mona

[PattyB]

Re: Tests for detecting an extramedullary plasmacytoma?

by PattyB on Sun Sep 06, 2015 4:25 pm

My husband's extramedullary plasmacytomas were detected via a PET/CT. While most of his myeloma was knocked out with induction chemotherapy of Revlimid, Velcade, panobinostat and dexamethasone, his lambda free light chains started to increase again once he was just on main­tenance chemotherapy. The PET/CT showed hyperactivity in two areas near the spine. They hit those areas with radiation in May and the tumors are apparently gone.