Multiple Myeloma
How is the disease diagnosed?
A person who has symptoms of multiple myeloma will have a number of tests done, including:
a complete blood count, or CBC, to detect a low red blood cell count called anemia
a blood test called total protein, which will show elevated levels of protein in the blood
a blood test known as serum protein electrophoresis, which will reveal an abnormal amount of some of the body's proteins. Too much protein in the blood may cause kidney damage.
a blood test to measure the amount of calcium in the bloodstream. Calcium is released into the bloodstream as the myeloma spreads to the bones.
a urine electrophoresis test, which may show abnormal proteins in the urine
x-rays of the bones, which may show weakened areas caused by the cancerous plasma cells. The bones can be so weakened that there may be breaks even if there has been no injury.
a bone marrow biopsy, to see how much the marrow is affected
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