Diagnosis of myeloma
Important diagnostic tests for myeloma include a bone marrow biopsy, full blood count, imaging tests , electrophoresis of the serum and concentrated urine and serum free light chain measurement.
A diagnosis of myeloma should be made using the criteria proposed by the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG), referred to as SLiM CRAB. Active myeloma is confirmed as outlined in Table 1.
A diagnosis of myeloma can clearly be an overwhelming and upsetting time for patients and their families. Nurses can be a positive and reassuring influence at this time by understanding what patients must be going through and having appropriate strategies to help support patients and their families through this difficult time.
To listen to patients reflecting on when they were diagnosed with myeloma, watch and reflect on the following Myeloma TV clips.
Diagnosis is covered in more detail in Module 3 – Diagnosis of myeloma.