Explore our helpful online forum resources at CancerCompass.com to research additional information and obtain feedback from patients about their experiences with diagnostic lab tests. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/cancer-diagnosis/lab-tests/1,0,124,96.htm Fri, 24 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT Fri, 24 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ hello ,i have a couple questions reguarding my pet scan results.to start i am a non smoker and got lung cancer''large cell neuroandocrine carcinoma'',had upper right lube removed Dec2011, had chemo and that ended april2012. I have been waiting on a biopsy of my throat because the very issue i thought i had was something wrong with my throat, ive had ultrasounds and scan also.had no radiation. so i just got my report from my pet scan just a few days ago [after chemo] almost a year ago now. my questions are: it says  ''persistant hypermetabolic focal activity at the left thyroid lobe inferiorly''? I dont know what that means? then says'' indeterminate for thyroid adenoma or carcinoma''. That is could or could not be cancer right? thank you Dara http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,70749,0.htm DaraP Mon, 04 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Hi all, maybe someone can help me make sense of this. My GP wasn't concerned but my nephrologist was and sent me to a hemotologist. Who of course cant see me for a month. My blood levels were normal, but the comments read: "Possible monoclonal protein (M protein) present. Suggest serum immunofixation" "Abnormal Protein band 1  .2g/dl non detected/above high normal" Interpretation: "No monoclonal protein detected" hypercalcemic 10.6 above high normal B12 1140 GFR 48 Does this mean they thought that I had monoclonal proteins, but did the immunofixation and found nothing? Is is common to have false 'above high normal' initial indicators? Thanks for your help because if it's nothing I'm confused why my nephrologist was so concerned about it. BTW he said he didn't think I had kidney problems and that the low GFR didn't indicate insufficiency in my case. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,68916,0.htm dancesilly2 Tue, 30 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT I am so confused.  I met with my onc today to get the results of my bone marrow biopsy / aspiration, and he said it was negative for lymphoma.  He gave me the bums rush out of the office without any explanation.  It was my understanding that lymphoma would not show up on the test unless it had reached stage 3 (marrow involvement).  Four days ago he was convinced it was lymphoma based on CT scan and symptoms.  I have multiple enlarged lymph nodes in my chest, fever, drenching night sweats, severe itching, and CBC is abnormal.  My spleen is enlarged, and last week he said that if the marrow came back negative that I would have to have it removed, today he said it was fine, and to call my PCP.  I'm not sure what to do next, my PCP sent me to him.  Does anyone know if stage 1 or 2 lymphoma would show up on a bone marrow biopsy?  http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,67691,0.htm NHBobGuy Thu, 16 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Hi, This is my first time posting here.  I had an abnormal SPEP one year ago, so I went to a hematologist for further testing.  Bloodwork showed a high Igm, long bone survey normal, and no protein in urine.  I have just followed up with more bloodwork one year later and Igm is the same, but CO2 level slightly elevated and a low anion gap.  Doctor said nothing about this and wants more bloodwork in four months.  Does anyone know what this means?  I am 49 years old and have had severe pain in my legs for over four years and extreme fatigue. Kim http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,67496,0.htm Kimbouts Sun, 05 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Somebody please tell me what this means? smooth white mucosal tissue upt to 0.4 cm ESB1  as well as red-brown mucosal fragments in aggregate 0.7x0.3x<0.1 cm  rare endovervical cells? http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,67451,0.htm Ellamae1 Thu, 02 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Pilot Study Using Molecular Profiling of Patients’ Tumors to Find Potential Targets and Select Treatments for Their Refractory CancersDaniel D. Von Hoff, Joseph J. Stephenson Jr, Peter Rosen, David M. Loesch, Mitesh J. Borad, Stephen Anthony, Gayle Jameson, Susan Brown, Nina Cantafio, Donald A. Richards, Tom R. Fitch, Ernesto Wasserman, Cristian Fernandez, Sylvan Green,† William Sutherland, Michael Bittner, Arlet Alarcon, David Mallery, and Robert PennyPurposeTo compare the progression-free survival (PFS) using a treatment regimen selected by molecular profiling (MP) of a patient’s tumor with the PFS for the most recent regimen on which the patient had experienced progression (ie, patient as his own control).Patients and MethodsPatients with refractory metastatic cancer had tissue samples submitted for MP in two formats including formalin-fixed tissue for immunohistochemistry and fluorescent in situ hybridization assays and immediately frozen tissue for oligonucleotide microarray (MA) gene expression assays (all performed in a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments CLIA –certified laboratory). The MP approach was deemed of clinical benefit for the individual patient who had a PFS ratio (PFS on MP-selected therapy/PFS on prior therapy) of 1.3.ResultsIn 86 patients who had MP attempted, there was a molecular target detected in 84 (98%). Sixty-six of the 84 patients were treated according to MP results. Eighteen (27%) of 66 patients had a PFS ratio of 1.3 (95% CI, 17% to 38%; one-sided, one-sample P.007). Therefore, the null hypothesis (that 15% of this patient population would have a PFS ratio of 1.3) was rejected.ConclusionIt is possible to identify molecular targets in patients’ tumors from nine different centers across the United States. In 27% of patients, the MP approach resulted in a longer PFS on an MP-suggested regimen than on the regimen on which the patient had just experienced progression. Issues to be considered in interpretation of this study include limited prior experience with patients as their own controls as a study end point and overall patient attrition.Source: J Clin Oncol 28:4877-4883. 2010 by American Society of Clinical OncologyWe are witness to a revolution in cancer therapeutics. Targeted therapies, named for their capacity to target specific tumor related features, are being developed and marketed at a rapid pace. Yet with an objective response rate of 10 percent (Von Hoff et al JCO, Nov 2011) reported for a gene array/IHC platform that attempted to select drugs for individual patients we have a long way to go before these tests will have meaningful clinical applications. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,67184,0.htm Gdpawel Tue, 17 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT For some time, clinicians have been grumbling about not having a biomarker for Avastinterm or any other anti-angiogenesis compound to better help choose which patients would be most likely to respond, thereby avoiding the need to treat everyone to gain a benefit in a few. One of the biggest challenges with Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGFterm) therapy has been the lack of a predictive biomarker. There is no idea which patients would most likely respond to therapy when selecting a number of new classes of drugs that target VEGF, at the protein level (Avastin), at the tyrosine kinase level (Iressa, Nexavartermterm, Tarceva, Sutenttermterm) or at the intracelluar metabolic pathway mTOR (Afiinitor, Torisel). Suppose there was a biomarker that was relative to Avastin and could be helpful for predictive purposes? Then you could actually make better use of the drug based on the biomarker. You would be able to predetermine and monitor therapy for specific subtypes and avoid exposing patients to the effects and costs of a drug that may not work for them. A private cell-based assay lab came along with a smart idea, a rational approach to the problem and some creative thinking to develop a biomarker for anti-angiogenesis compounds. The Journal of Internal Medicine reported the discovery of the first practical laboratory test to guide the use of new-generation drugs that kill cancer cells by cutting off their blood supply. The new test, called AngioRx, is an anti-ngiogenesis microvascular viability (MVV) assay, was developed by Larry Weisenthal, MD, PhD., a medical oncologist who operates a cancer testing laboratory in Huntington Beach, California. The test works by measuring drug effects upon endothelial cells which make up blood vessels. Its use could prolong lives, save money, and spare patients exposure to harmful side-effects of ineffective chemotherapyterm treatments. The MVV test also could streamline development of new anti-cancer cancer drugs and identify effective and sometimes unexpected new drug combinations, such as one reported in the Journal. Used today principally by cancer physicians, to choose effective therapies on a patient-by-patient basis, the assay also has potential for use as an early-warning screen for a variety of illnesses ranging from heart disease, cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and many others. Patents have been filed. Dr. Weisenthal invented his new test after making the discovery that endothelial cells are present in cancer biopsy specimens even after the specimens are reduced to clusters of living cancer cells in order to make them suitable for testing in the laboratory. Endothelial cells form capillaries which carry oxygen and nutrients to cancer cells. Dr. Weisenthal noted that the effects of various drugs upon endothelial cells can be measured separately from the effects of those same drugs upon cancer cells within the same biopsy specimen. Dr. Weisenthal describes this as "anti-vascular effect versus anti-tumor effect." Using this discriminatory property of his new test, Dr. Weisenthal has published several, original and often unexpected observations about the ways in which various drugs work. Dr. Weisenthal further describes a logical extension of the test, in which the ability to identify and characterize endothelial cells in mixed-cell populations could lead to early diagnosis and thereby more successful treatment of a broad spectrum of illnesses for which elevated numbers of circulating endothelial cells can be a feature. Potentially included are cancer, heart disease, diabetes, macular degeneration and others. Dr. Weisenthal envisions an accurate and inexpensive test, performed annually and based upon a simple blood draw, which would warn of the possible presence of a medical condition for which additional tests were warranted. The result would be earlier diagnosis of disease and also avoidance of much of the expensive and often unnecessary medical testing which occurs today. The most immediate application of the assay focuses upon cancer and specifically upon the much-heralded angiogenesis-inhibiting drugs, which work by attacking tumor vasculature and thereby starving cancer cells. A recent NIH listing contained over 800 active clinical trials involving angiogenesis-inhibiting agents. One problem with these drugs, in addition to their high cost, is determining in advance who will benefit from them. The other problem is learning how to make the drugs more effective by using them in combination. The new MVV test could help on both fronts. Dr Weisenthal expresses his belief that cancer can become a chronic and controllable illness through the use of combinations of anti-angiogenesis drugs. He says, "The long-awaited magic-bullet cure for cancer hasn't materialized. Now we're thinking more in terms of long-term control such as is the case with high blood pressure or diabetes. The way to make that happen sooner is to use our current ammunition more affectively." Dr. Weisenthal's observations are reinforced by early studies of angiogenesis-inhibiting drugs in animal tumor models. In these studies, single agents produced only sporadic and temporary benefits. However, the effectiveness of these drugs increased substantially when they were administered in combination with other angiogenesis-inhibiting drugs. According to Dr. Weisenthal, the MVV test is the first practical tool that allows for design and testing of new anti-angiogenic drug combinations in human cancer. Using his new MVV test, Dr. Weisenthal says that he often finds strong synergies among new combinations of different types of angiogenesis-inhibiting drugs, including drugs which were not previously known to have anti-angiogenic properties. One observation, which he reported in the Journal of Internal Medicine article, is that dimethylsulfoxide and ethanol are two compounds which often enhance the activity of anti-angiogenesis drugs in the laboratory. According to Dr. Weisenthal, therapeutic levels of ethanol in the bloodstream theoretically could be achieved simply by drinking wine or another alcoholic beverages in prescribed doses concurrent with receiving angiogenesis-inhibiting drugs. The concept might please some patients and alarm others but Dr. Weisenthal finds support in actual case studies reported in the medical literature. However, he warns that further clinical studies are required. The MVV test is applicable to cancer patients whose bodies harbor cancer cells which are obtainable though biopsy. Currently, the test is available only through Dr. Weisenthal's laboratory, the Weisenthal Cancer Group. Dr. Weisenthal says that he provides his testing services more like a medical practice and less like a typical reference laboratory. Although he regularly performs testing for cancer patients in the U.S. and also from several foreign countries, he intends to to stick to medicine and leave marketing of the MVV test to others. Dr. Weisenthal says that he would like to see the test become available to patients worldwide through service agreements with larger laboratory companies or with a biotechnology company which might develop a testing kit for sale to hospitals and laboratories. He also would like to license the test to pharmaceutical companies for use in new drug development. About Weisenthal Cancer Group Weisenthal Cancer Group is a privately-held commercial cancer testing laboratory and research facility headquartered in Huntington Beach, California. The company was founded in 1992 by Larry Weisenthal, MD, PhD, a medical oncologist and Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California Irvine. Dr. Weisenthal trained at the NCI and has served in a variety of advisory and review capacities. Dr. Weisenthal is widely published and has been a keynote speaker at numerous mee http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,63531,0.htm Gdpawel Sun, 25 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT My 28 year old niece had appendix cancer that never had shown a tumor marker in her blood work.  She had finished chemo the end of last year and just finished avastin.  Her CEA marker showed elevated as it has never done this even when she had the cancer-prior to successful surgery and chemo and avastin.  Any suggestion/ info as to why elevated now? (Had googled this and found there could be various reasons.) CT scan shows stable and now they want her to have PET scan.  Does anyone have a suggestion?  Please help as desperate to find benign reasons.Thank you ever so much.  http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,13873,0.htm Gemini2 Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT Hi everyone,I am having a biopsy in a few days for suspected Lymphoma and want to know if I should request they send it to more than one lab. How would I request that?  Thanks! http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,54661,0.htm AurraSing Sat, 08 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT so i had my wide exsission surgery yeasterday and a sentinal lynode byopsy ......except for a lot of pain all went very well....however the doctor said that my lyphnods showed "atypical"? does anyone know what that means or what will be done from here? do i have to wait for the pathology results? should i be worried?? please let me know if you have any advise? http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,53327,0.htm annie841982 Sun, 28 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT Hello, Newbie here and in Sept 2011, had problems with swallowing pain and ear pain (all right side) very bad pain... What is messed up is,... after seeing a family doctor numorous times, A dentist 2x who gave me a cervicle xray, ENT gave me a Cat scan and an esophageal Xray - Barium Swallow test, Nota one saw any problems and after some antibiotics and pain killers (motrin) the pain went from 10 down to about a 2. But then it came back 2 weeks ago so fed up with the pita pain I looked myself and I found a lump on my tonsil (I don't know why I didn't look before) So the ENT removed part of it and had it tested. I found out on wedsnday it needs to be removed quickly. the pathology report says: Invasive poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma with extensive necrosis. Immun stains shows that tumor cells are Positive for CK5/6 and p63; Negative for CK7 and CK20. I have been glancing at all the posts here and found some scary stuff and some very inspirational posts. My current ENT can not do the surgery so I have another one lined up for my first consultation on Wednsday. I am not sure what to expect...except that the "thing" needs to be removed. What the .... am I in for? I have been having weird problems for 3+ years and I am sort glad this was found. Thanks for any insight. Mike.  http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,64477,0.htm mikespike Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Hi, My mother has been in hosital for 1 week and a day now and has had 2 biopsies done through a colonoscopy and both have come back inconclusive but the drs are sure that she has cancer but at this point they have yet to figure out what kind. They orginally said rectal cancer but now my mom thinks maybe stomack cancer?? Are there any other ways to find out what kinda cancer it is without her having to have surgery tommorrow?What are the possibilites?? Thanks to anyone who takes the time to read this http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,54990,0.htm Mindy21282 Mon, 17 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT i take 500 mg tabs 5 in am 5 in pm. is that a usually dose, and does any one else get nasuea from taking this. i am told it slows cancer growth down. i have stage 4 breast ca with mets to my bones. i am also on Zometa iv montly with helping my bones stay strong. any body else on these drugs. i am learning more my cancer and so much i don't know. any one with help. i would appreciate. thanks debra http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,64128,0.htm hollis40 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Medical Equips centre Sdn Bhd.We are importer & exporter of all kinds of hospital equipments, specialized in all ultra sound portable machines, x-ray machines,Reduction Equipments,,Diagnostic machines,dental equipment system, CT Scanner, Surgery machine Sterilizing machines,Medwow Plastic Surgery machine.Our price is negotiable.Payment Term:Bank TransferCompany Address:No.6727 Jalan Bandar 4, Taman Melawati, 5100 Kuala Lumpur,MalaysiaTel:+601 690 94 318Email:medicalscentremalaysia@hotmail.co.ukEmail:Email:medicalcentre50@e-mail.uaContact Person:Dr. LarsonGE ProSpeed II CT ScannerToshiba TCT-900S CT ScannerSiemens SOMATOM Emotion 6 CT ScannerLook Fein Focus Fxs 160 32 X-ray MachineI-max Touch Digital Panoramic Ceph X-ray Dental SysVatech Picasso Trio Dental Ct XrayAgfa Cr30Sp+ - Digital X-Ray SystemPace 8007-0385 XR 3000 X-Ray Inspection SystemFemale X-Ray Machine Adult Halloween CostumePhilips HD11 XE Ultrasound, DiagnosticGE Vivid 7 Dimension Ultrasound, CardiacUltraShape Contour I ver2 Ultrasound / Electrical Dermal TreatmentMedicis Liposonix Model 1 Lipo Reduction EquipmentCynosure Smartlipo MPX Lipo Reduction EquipmentGE Voluson i Ultrasound, PortableGE Vscan Ultrasound GE Voluson I portable OB / GYN - VascularSonosite MicroMaxx Ultrasound, PortableGe Vivid I Squared Ultrasound System Bt06GE Logiq e Ultrasound, PortableSonosite M-turbo Portable Ultrasound With 2 TransducersGE Venue 40 Ultrasound, PortableSiemens ACUSON Cypress Ultrasound, PortableSiemens ACUSON Cypress Plus Ultrasound, PortableGE Vivid e Ultrasound, PortableGe Logiq Book Portable Ultrasound SystemGE Logiq Book XP Ultrasound, PortableChison Medical Imaging Co CHISON 8300 Ultrasound, PortableWe ship via Fedex, Ups, Dhl & Ems delivery to your door step as soon as ourshipping department updates your full name, contact number, shippinginformations,Delivery time: within 2 working daysOur price is negotiable.Payment Term:Bank TransferCompany Address:No.6727 Jalan Bandar 4, Taman Melawati, 5100 Kuala Lumpur,MalaysiaTel:+601 690 94 318Email:medicalscentremalaysia@hotmail.co.ukEmail:Email:medicalcentre50@e-mail.uaContact Person:Dr. Larson http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,63979,0.htm drlarson Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT WE HAVE BRAND NEW GE V-SCAN ULTRASOUND SCANNER FOR SELL PRICE $5,000.Detailed Product DescriptionThe GE Vscan Ultrasound Machine has the following features:    Voice recording for patient information    1-hour battery life that can be charged in just 1 hour    Interchangeable battery with separate charger    Color flow Doppler    Thumb control for zoom and gainGE Vscan System Applications:    Portable    Emergency Medicine    Cardiac    OB-GYN.Contact us for more details via our email: tbsluk@aol.comJohn Davies.Astric Medical36 Blatchington RoadHove, East Sussex BN3 3YNUnited Kingdom.Tel;+44703590281Email:tbsluk@aol.com http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,63664,0.htm mmedukmd Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT I am in stage 4 metstatic breast cancer . I was on Famara which achieved its job by ggggetting the tumor maker down from 117 to 34!! Wonderful. Today my Tumor Marker is at 1100 which sounds crazy to me. The Recent CT contradicts because hte bone scan is the same the liver is somewhat higher. I am going in for another blood test The nurse sain on the phone they are not sure why it has reached 1100? Any comments? I would love to hear from someone who had this sam experience and can explain Thank you, Susan http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,61720,0.htm smoser Tue, 06 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Hi guys, Feeling tired Bruises occuring every now and then {not painful) Joint pains Back pains Hip and pelvic pain and leg pain on the sides Buttocks pain Causing difficulty to walk Edema in the hands Taking pain meds to relieve pain Doctors still cannot identify anything. Pls help http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,62345,0.htm Jtbibal Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT lacking enzmyes to metabolize... byChemoLiteon Thu Jun 30, 2011 06:31 AM Quote |Reply Does anyone have experience with the chemo drug metabolizing much to slowly or not at all creating a toxic effect in the body? The drug I'm on now is supposed to be metabolized within 72 hours. I was excreting large amounts in my urine and stool for several days after that. Nine days later, people can smell it coming out of my pours at times. My family and friends believe that I will likely die if I do another round of this drug. My doctor has refused to do any type of drug response test, or to change my chemo drug even though my insurance covers this. From what I understand, organ shut-down is not uncommon.  I've never had this problem before, but never had to take any type of heavy medication. Before the chemo, I first noticed this with some morphine type drugs.   My sister is lacking many enzymes and is multi-drug resistant. Problems with her extreme enzyme deficiencies ended her career as a college teacher. She became 100% disabled in 1999.  Please excuse my grammar, phrasing, etc.. I’ve been experiencing cognitive difficulties after starting the chemo. Any advice would be appreciated... ChemoLite http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,60405,0.htm ChemoLite Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT Hi i am very confused I just had bloodwork done and am vey new to all of this.  My kappa was low at .15 normal is .33 my lambda was normal at .86 and my ratio was low at .17, the lab paper said monitor for possible plasma cell, i went to one hematologist who quickly dismissed me and said nothing was wrong it was just an abnormality.  I had no bands positive is he right?  Thank you for any imput http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,59549,0.htm hopefaith Tue, 24 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT I nderstand the blood test is called T19 and a count is enabled to determin the number of "active" cancer cells. Can I request this test through my doctore or my onocolgist before deciding wether or not to continue with the chemo? it would give me a tool to persuade my family that the chemo could extend my life some.  At the moment the cancer cells are microscopic, and I really want to have the chance to "Zap" them  http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,58223,0.htm megryan Thu, 28 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT Hi, CA breast was detected in my momt in 2006. She had gone thru surgery then chemo and radiation. Now again her abdominal sonography shows that she had paritonean matastatis with subacute intestine blokage.the Doc suggests to remove entire intestine and few cycles of Chemo. Can some one tell or share experience of such case where insestine had been removed? How much risk is there after such surgery? http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,56656,0.htm tejas1980 Sat, 12 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT Last Thursday, we found out that our mom has cancer, and the doctors are unsure of the source. However, they have been able to detect that it has spread to her bones and are calling it stage 4.  The decision has been made to not wait and begin chemo. But... how do you start chemo when you don't know which area of the body that the cancer stems from?   http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,56515,0.htm CadillacMom Mon, 07 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT can anyone explain this result for me 'this is cervical transformation zone which show severe squamous dysplasia, CIN3 with extensive involvment of endocervical glands. No CGIN or invasion seen in this sample.   http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,56431,0.htm loobielou17 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT Okay, this is my first time posting here. I have been having severe neck and shoulder pain for the past couple of days. At first, I thought that I maybe slept wrong. BUT as I was massaging my neck last night I noticed a lump about halfway down my neck. It is about 1". Call me a hypochondriac, but I'm really worried. Does anyone know what this could be? The lump feels hard and moves a little when I rub it. Thanks in advance, Courteney. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,53258,0.htm courteneybriann Wed, 24 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT Hi all, I'm new to this site and haven't had a good look around yet so I hope I'm posting in the correct forum and not repeating a question that has been answered many times before :) I feel completely healthy, but I had full blood works done for a diet study run by a university, and as a result they found a few unusual results. The protein studies of the report says: IgG level: 12.1 g/L (normal range 7.0-14.0) "There is a light monoclonal band (or paraprotein) in the gamma fraction. This band is idenified by immunofixation as an IgG kappa paraprotein" I've had the same test twice, Dec 2008 and July 2009, and both have noted the monoclonal band. IgG levels in 2008 were 9.7g/L, and 2009 they were 12.1g/L. I'm wondering if I need to have another test in 2010? My doctor hasn't said anything or been concerned. After the first blood test I had a 24 hr urine collect to see if there were proteins in it, which there weren't, the urine test came back fine. My IgG levels are within normal range, so is the monoclonal band much to worry about? I've heard it can be a precursor to multiple meloma, but at present I feel healthy and don't seem to have any symptoms to worry about. Will the monoclonal band disappear, like can you have it one month and then the next month be totally 'normal' again? Or is there anything I can do to improve the band or IgG levels by lifestyle or medication etc? Any information would be appreciated, thanks Debbie http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,51227,0.htm coldfish Mon, 20 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT