[dlnelson3]

Oligosecretory and nonsecretory myeloma - any difference?

by dlnelson3 on Wed May 30, 2012 11:23 pm

What is the difference of oligosecretory lambda myeloma and nonsecretory myeloma?

My husband was told he has that kind and also used IgG.

[Dr. Adam Cohen]

Re: Oligosecretory and nonsecretory myeloma - any difference

by Dr. Adam Cohen on Thu May 31, 2012 8:37 am

Nonsecretory means the myeloma cells are present in the bone marrow but they don't make any measurable M-protein (either heavy chains or light chains). This is a very small subset of myeloma patients (1-2%). Oligosecretory means the cells make a small amount of protein, but much less than would be expected based on the amount of cells in the marrow. The treatment of nonsecretory or oligosecretory myeloma is not generally different from myeloma that makes a lot of M-protein, but patients usually need to have serial bone marrow biopsies to see if the disease is responding to treatment, since you can't rely on the blood and urine tests (since there's little to no protein to measure).

[ICE]

Re: Oligosecretory and nonsecretory myeloma - any difference

by ICE on Fri Jun 01, 2012 3:02 pm

I find this information very interesting since I was diagnosed with MGUS in 2005 with an abnormal FLC ratio (IgG kappa, high) for several years following. When I was first diagnosed, the M-spike was 12.1 and as of late is immeasurable. Does this mean that I am no longer at risk for progression or does this mean I could have plasma in the bone and the serum protein isn't a reliable marker? I never had a bone marrow biopsy. My oncologist said 12.1 m-spike did not warrant further follow up.

I'm here for a friend but can't help being concerned for my own health knowing that is a possibility. She went from 8.2 to immeasurable, but anemic. Thank you for your input.

[suzierose]

Re: Oligosecretory and nonsecretory myeloma - any difference

by suzierose on Fri Jun 01, 2012 5:07 pm

Hi ICE,

Regarding anemia, the reason multiple myeloma patients have anemia is the multiple myeloma plasma cells crowd out the RBC's which carry hemoglobin, thus anemia.