[cmolinaro]

What is considered to be High Risk multiple myeloma?

by cmolinaro on Wed Jul 14, 2010 3:19 pm

Good afternoon, back in April 10, I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma at the age of 31. Before treatment, my M spike was 3.1, my IGA was near 3000 and my calcium was around 11.4-11.5. I am in my 3rd month of treatments and after receiving my 2nd months results, my m spike is down to 0.8, IGA down to1100 and calcium is around 10.2 My specialist had said my myeloma was considered to be aggressive due to the high calcium at the time of diagnosis, but does that mean I have high risk myeloma?

[Perseverence]

Re: What is considered to be High Risk multiple myeloma?

by Perseverence on Sat Aug 21, 2010 3:32 am

High risk myeloma is defined by cytogenetic testing, and looks to see if certain chromosomes are either amplified or deleted. Studies have shown that certain cytogenetic markers indicate patients who will not respond well to treatment. Ask your doctor to see the cytogenetic test that was done at the time of your bone marrow biopsy for diagnosis. If you do end up being high-risk according to the gene expression, don't panic; Velcade has been shown to overcome some of these traditionally adverse prognostic features.