Hi everyone,
My uncle has had myeloma. He is cancer free since 5 years ago. Lately his blood results gave a high monoclonal immunoglobulin (M protein ) level.
Someone have any kind of experience related to this protein level?
Thanks you, your answer will be appreciated.
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Re: High monoclonal immunoglobulin (M protein)
Sounds like your uncle has developed an M spike (excess monoclonal immunoglobulin protein) in his blood or urine. This may indicate that he is relapsing and may have to go restart treatment. It sounds like he has not been in treatment and was in a remissive state for the last 5 years.
If you want to know more about multiple myeloma, I would suggest you to the "resources" section at the top of the page.
If you want to know more about multiple myeloma, I would suggest you to the "resources" section at the top of the page.
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Ron Harvot - Name: Ron Harvot
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: High monoclonal immunoglobulin (M protein)
Multiple myeloma occurs when certain plasma cells, which produce immunoglobulin to help defend the body against infection, begin to reproduce uncontrollably. These plasma cells are all copies of the same initial "clone", so they are called "monoclonal" plasma cells. The immunoglobulin they produce is called monoclonal immunoglobulin (or M protein, paraprotein, or the patient's "M-spike").
At diagnosis, some 80-85 percent of multiple myeloma patients have a version of the disease that is marked by the presence of monoclonal immunoglobulin in their blood. Another 15 percent or so do not have elevated monoclonal immunoglobulin, but have an elevated kappa or lambda free light chain level in their blood. A few percent of the newly diagnosed have neither of these, and are described as having "nonsecretory" multiple myeloma.
Asking what monoclonal immunoglobulin is asking a very basic question about multiple myeloma. It's similar to asking what the meaning of the blood glucose level is for someone who has diabetes. You may want to read up on some of the basics of multiple myeloma at a resource such as Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_myeloma), and then read through the discussions and articles here for additional information.
Be sure to keep in mind that the treatment of multiple myeloma is changing very fast. There have been a number of new treatments approved in just the past few years, and additional treatments are under development.
Good luck!
At diagnosis, some 80-85 percent of multiple myeloma patients have a version of the disease that is marked by the presence of monoclonal immunoglobulin in their blood. Another 15 percent or so do not have elevated monoclonal immunoglobulin, but have an elevated kappa or lambda free light chain level in their blood. A few percent of the newly diagnosed have neither of these, and are described as having "nonsecretory" multiple myeloma.
Asking what monoclonal immunoglobulin is asking a very basic question about multiple myeloma. It's similar to asking what the meaning of the blood glucose level is for someone who has diabetes. You may want to read up on some of the basics of multiple myeloma at a resource such as Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_myeloma), and then read through the discussions and articles here for additional information.
Be sure to keep in mind that the treatment of multiple myeloma is changing very fast. There have been a number of new treatments approved in just the past few years, and additional treatments are under development.
Good luck!
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