How doctors diagnose this condition

Several tests help doctors confirm a multiple myeloma diagnosis. Tests include:

Blood tests: Providers check for low blood cell counts and enzymes that signal problems with an organ. They’ll also check for abnormal antibodies (like M proteins) and signs of tumors.

Urine (pee) tests: Your provider may look for high levels of protein in a urine sample that may be a sign of multiple myeloma.

Imaging tests: X-rays and CT scans can show bone damage related to multiple myeloma. MRIs and PET scans can also reveal myeloma tumors. These are single groups of abnormal plasma cells.

Biopsy: A bone marrow biopsy tests tissue from your bone marrow for abnormal plasma cells. Or you may need a bone marrow aspiration, which tests the fluid part of bone marrow.

Genetic testing: Your provider may do a DNA test on the biopsy sample. This test finds gene changes that drive cancer growth.

Sometimes, people with multiple myeloma don’t have symptoms. Your provider may not suspect anything until blood tests show signs of conditions that may become multiple myeloma.

For example, a biopsy may show abnormal plasma cells, which could mean you have either MGUS or smoldering multiple myeloma. These are early, precancerous forms of multiple myeloma.

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Most people with these conditions don’t develop multiple myeloma. Still, your healthcare provider will monitor you closely in case they progress.

Cancer staging lays the foundation for treatment. Healthcare providers use the Revised International Staging System (R-ISS) to stage multiple myeloma. It’s based mostly on how many cancer-related enzymes or M proteins are in your blood. Healthcare providers also consider if you have gene abnormalities.

The scale goes from I (growing slowly) to III (growing fast).