[jhorner]

Is smoldering myeloma considered Stage 1 myeloma?

by jhorner on Thu Apr 30, 2015 12:57 pm

Hello,

After reviewing my charge sheet from the cancer hospital, I noticed my smoldering mutiple myeloma diagnosis was not specific and that my diagnosis on the record was "multiple myeloma". It occurred to me after reviewing the available ICD.9 and ICD.10 diagnosis codes for multiple myeloma that there isn't a separate diagnosis code for smoldering myeloma.

Does this mean that according to the International Staging and the Durie-Salmon staging systems that we smolderers are considered as Stage 1 multiple myeloma?

I also noticed that there isn't a separate diagnosis for each of the stages, so I am unclear as to how the medical industry differentiates disease burden and authorization for some treatments.

As complex as multiple myeloma is, you would think that the diagnosis would reflect more detail.
J

[Toni]

Re: Is smoldering myeloma considered Stage 1 myeloma?

by Toni on Thu Apr 30, 2015 1:24 pm

My understanding is that, because of the new recommendations for diagnosing multiple myeloma and smoldering multiple myeloma, there is a new, modified ICD code which is to go into effect October 2015:

http://www.icd10data.com/ICD10CM/Codes/C00-D49/C81-C96/C90-/C90.00

Perhaps reading the new diagnostic criteria as outlined in the article by Dr. Rajkumar will help answer your question?

[Multibilly]

Re: Is smoldering myeloma considered Stage 1 myeloma?

by Multibilly on Thu Apr 30, 2015 1:39 pm

J,

This depends on which staging system is being used by your doctor. See this thread for an explanation:

"Does stage 1 multiple myeloma = smoldering myeloma?" (started Jul 2, 2014)

[jhorner]

Re: Is smoldering myeloma considered Stage 1 myeloma?

by jhorner on Fri May 01, 2015 10:22 am

Thank you! That previous post that was answered by Dr. Landau answered my question. I appreciate your direction.

There is a new ICD.10 code but it isn't written to the specification of staging or type of dyscrasia.