Plasmacytoma And Mgus

Can you have both?  My mom was diagnosed with an isolated plasmactyoma with all tests being negative (skeletal profile, MRI, bloodwork, etc.) but then got a call she has to give another urine b/c they didn't do the right one (I'm assuming the lab messed it up) and I noticed it had on the script monoclonal gammopathy/lambda light chain.  I don't know if that means they're ruling that out or if they just have to keep checking her urine weekly b/c she's getting radiation and they want to see if these proteins become undetectable or decreased with the radiation.  I'm so confused and unfortunately this all took place Fri. evening so I couldn't call. 

I guess I'm wondering if people with a plasmacytoma have these proteins show up in the urine and they're supossed to go away or decrease with radiation?  I had read something about that but I'm just not certain. 

I would be interested in  hearing about this as well.

My dx was
IgG kappa type plasmacytoma, which was removed from my T5 vertebra last
september, followed by 45gy of radiation, finishing up Dec. 31.  In mid
december, my kappa light chains were at 2.9mg/dl, and they've bounced
around between 2.0 and 2.4, which is within the range of assay
variability, ever since.


My oncologists say that the tumor is supposed to continue dying for
at least six months post radiation, so from that perspective the levels
should drop.  However, I also have 5-10% plasma cells in my bone
marrow, and it would make sense that these are where the kappa chains
are coming from now.


Frank H

As I understand it, a plasmacytoma is a tumor that develops in the bone when you have Multiple Myeloma.  The light chains are part of the abnormal protein whose level is monitored to determine the stage of Multiple Myeloma.  MGUS is differentiated from Multiple Myeloma by the amount of plasma cells found on bone marrow biopsy and the amount of abnormal proteins found on a blood test called plasmaphoresis.  The urine test is probably testing for the presence of bence jones protein that is seen in Multiple Myeloma.  Google Multiple Myeloma staging and you can find information that will help you understand this better.  Mayoclinic.com also has great information on plasmacytomas.  Good Luck.  I have Multiple Myeloma and am currently being treated a the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.  I hope this helps. 

Cindy

 

On 4/20/2008 Cindy d wrote:

As I understand it, a plasmacytoma is a tumor that develops in the bone when you have Multiple Myeloma.  The light chains are part of the abnormal protein whose level is monitored to determine the stage of Multiple Myeloma.  MGUS is differentiated from Multiple Myeloma by the amount of plasma cells found on bone marrow biopsy and the amount of abnormal proteins found on a blood test called plasmaphoresis.  The urine test is probably testing for the presence of bence jones protein that is seen in Multiple Myeloma.  Google Multiple Myeloma staging and you can find information that will help you understand this better.  Mayoclinic.com also has great information on plasmacytomas.  Good Luck.  I have Multiple Myeloma and am currently being treated a the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.  I hope this helps. 

Cindy

Hi Cindy:

My husband was diagnosed in March 08 of MM.  He is a patient at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.  He is on Rev/Dex and doing fairly well.  How

often do you go for a check up?  Who is your doctor there?  They have

been wonderful with coordinating all his needs.  I haven't a clue what

stage he is in, just that the numbers were high on the urine test and

also the biopsy,(bone marrow, maybe 5%) also had a lytic lesion on

left rib, a classic I would guess.  Our doctor there has been following him for several years now and just getting to the treatment stage.  Let me

know how you are doing and if you have any advice for us.

Thanks and good luck

ozy1