[dforeman7]

Bone marrow biopsy now shows myeloma cells - meaning?

by dforeman7 on Fri Oct 30, 2015 8:59 am

Would like to get some insight into the implications of my most recent labs and bone marrow biopsy results.

I am 4 years post autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) and have never been on maintenance. All of my recent labs* are normal except the M-spike, which is 0.20 g/dL (2 g/L). It was 0.0 up until 1.5 years ago and has since been creeping up very slowly. The M-spike 3 months previous was 0.19 g/dL.

It is the bone marrow biopsy results that I don't understand the implications. It showed 3-5% lambda-restricted plasma cell neoplasm. Up until this last result my bone marrow showed no indication of myeloma (post transplant).

Of course I am wondering about relapse. Anyone have a similar situation? Thoughts?

I will be meeting with my doctor in two weeks to discuss whether to treat or not, but I would like to find out as much as I can ahead of time to prepare for the meeting.

Thank you
Doug

*FLC ratio / proteins / creatinine / calcium / hgb etc.
IgG lambda myeloma type

Last edited by dforeman7 on Fri Oct 30, 2015 4:05 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[Christa's Mom]

Re: Bone marrow biopsy now shows myeloma cells - meaning?

by Christa's Mom on Fri Oct 30, 2015 3:05 pm

Hi doreman7,

EJ seems very similar to you! He had his ASCT in June, 2011 and has never been on maintenance. After his ASCT, his M-spike fell to 0.1 g/dL and held there for about 26 months. Since then, it periodically rises, but then seems to hold steady for a long time. Now it's up to 0.5 g/dL. He has no other signs of relapse, so they are still not treating.

I had the same questions about relapse when it first rose. Dr. Libby was kind enough to answer them.

"Asymptomatic relapse after stem cell transplant" (forum disc. started Mar 13, 2014)

Hopefully my old post will help you.

Lyn

[dforeman7]

Re: Bone marrow biopsy now shows myeloma cells - meaning?

by dforeman7 on Fri Oct 30, 2015 3:48 pm

Hi Lyn,

Thank you very much for the information. So glad to know EJ's M-spike is remaining stable and low. This is very encouraging.

When I read definitions of relapse there seems to be no mention of "the percent of bone marrow with myeloma cells". As I stated, my M-spike is low and stable but now, for the first time since transplant, I have 3-5% myeloma in the marrow. Not sure what I am missing here.

Thanks again,
Doug