[MMGougeon]

Is multiple myeloma hereditary?

by MMGougeon on Tue Sep 08, 2015 7:21 pm

My grandmother has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma over a year ago, and I recently found out my aunt, her daughter, has been diagnosed with it as well.

I am wondering if this type of cancer is hereditary and if so can I be given a test to see if I am a carrier?

Thanks in advance,
Melessa

[Multibilly]

Re: Is multiple myeloma hereditary?

by Multibilly on Tue Sep 08, 2015 8:00 pm

Hi Melessa,

See Dr. Voorhees' comments here:

https://myelomabeacon.org/forum/dad-and-grandmother-diagnosed-what-are-my-chances-t826.html#p3588

Given you have it running in your family, I would suggest just keeping an eye on your total protein, globulin and hemogloblin levels when you get your regular annual physical (these items are always part of a standard blood panel that a doc would order during a physical exam). If one of these values starts to change, It might then be good to then get a couple of extra simple tests that can quickly determine if you likely have MGUS (a typically benign precursor disease that occurs before one develops multiple myeloma).

There is no test to see if you are a carrier.

But as Dr. Voorhees says, your chances of developing MGUS is quite low, so I really wouldn't fret about it.