Multiple Myeloma

If a doctor suspects that a person may have myeloma, certain tests are used to confirm a diagnosis of myeloma, including:

• Blood and urine tests. Blood and urine tests help the doctor know whether the person's M protein (the abnormal protein produced by the myeloma cells) is higher than normal. A complete blood count (CBC) will be done.
• Imaging tests. X-rays and other imaging tests, such as a bone scan, computed tomography (CT scan, also known as a CAT scan), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) help assess changes in bone structure and determine the number and size of tumors in the bone.
• Bone marrow aspiration or bone marrow biopsy. These tests check for cancerous plasma cells in the bone marrow. In an aspiration, a needle is inserted into the hipbone to remove a sample of blood and cells from the bone marrow. With a biopsy, a needle is used to remove a small piece of bone and bone marrow from the hipbone. A pathologist -- a doctor who is an expert at examining cells -- will look at the samples under a microscope. A biopsy is the only way for doctors to know for sure whether someone has myeloma.

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