[sharples74]

Supposedly no tumors or cysts - is that possible?

by sharples74 on Thu Mar 20, 2014 10:03 pm

As I have said before, my husband was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in September 2013. However, I read a lot of the posts on this site and see that many of you have tumors/cysts. He doesn't have any of these symptoms. He is just very weak and has pain in his feet due to the severe neuropathy caused from the Velcade.

Is it possible that he has the tumors/cyst and we just don't know it? The oncologist has not mentioned them. He had a PET scan and it didn't show any.

Thanks.

[Dr. Peter Voorhees]

Re: Supposedly no tumors or cysts - is that possible?

by Dr. Peter Voorhees on Fri Mar 21, 2014 6:16 am

Dear sharples74,

Not all patients have discrete bone lesions on imaging tests. Some patients may simply have decreased bone mineral density that very much mimics what one would see with osteoporosis. Others may just have diffuse bone marrow infiltration of their disease without any significant bone damage -- their only manifestation of disease may be anemia or kidney problems, for example.

Between plain x-rays and a PET-CT, you should have been able to see clinically significant, metabolically active bone lesions or tumors outside of bone if they were there. MRI is a very useful test for picking up more subtle bone damage. But, if your husband has responded to treatment and there is no clinical suspicion of something amiss, I would not necessarily recommend doing this, especially without a baseline for comparison. It could be useful if he is having unexplained bone pain, however.

Take care and good luck!

Pete V.