[iluvpugs]

Referred to oncologist - questions to ask?

by iluvpugs on Mon May 12, 2014 9:58 am

I was recently referred to an oncologist based on lab results from my rheumatologist. M-Spike was 0.4 and IgG and IgA were slightly elevated beyond normal range.

What questions should I be asking? Are there specific tests that I should request?

I am clueless and nervous. Thank you!

[Nancy Shamanna]

Re: Referred to oncologist - questions to ask?

by Nancy Shamanna on Mon May 12, 2014 10:23 am

hI iLuvpugs, Are you referred to a haematological oncologist? They deal with blood cancers, including myeloma. A 'hem/onc' would order more tests for you, including a complete blood cell count, creatinine, a serum free light chain test and many more tests actually. If myeloma were suspected, you could be having a complete skeletal X-ray test and/or an MRI, or other scans, and possibly a bone marrow biopsy, and a 24 hour urine test.

Myeloma symptoms are abbreviated by the acronym 'CRAB', i.e. having excess calcium in the blood (C), having kidney (renal) disfunction (R), anemia (A) and bone damage shown by lesions or fractures (B). Even if these symptoms are not there, you could have a condition called MGUS, which may or may not lead to myeloma eventually, or SMM, which is a precursor to myeloma.

So, I would ask for copies of all of my lab tests (or get them online if that is available to you), and look for any results outside of the normal ranges. You could also read up on many topics here by using the 'search' box. Good luck with your appointment!