What you will learn from this booklet

The IMF’s Understanding series of booklets is designed to acquaint you with treatments and supportive care measures for multiple myeloma (which we refer to simply as “myeloma”). Words in bold+blue type are explained in the “Terms and definitions” section at the end of this booklet, as well as in a more complete compendium of myeloma-related vocabulary, the IMF’s Glossary of Myeloma Terms and Definitions, located at glossary.myeloma.org.

Myeloma is a cancer that is not known to most patients at the time of diagnosis. It is important and helpful for you to learn as much as possible about myeloma and its treatment options in order to be empowered to play an active role in your own medical care and to make good decisions about your care with your doctor. The information in this booklet will help you in discussions with your healthcare team.

The Understanding Your Test Results booklet outlines the various tests that are used to diagnose and monitor myeloma, and to detect response and relapse. You can better understand and cope with your myeloma if you familiarize yourself with the tests used to assess your status throughout the disease course.

It is important and helpful for you to request and collect test results for future reference. Test results best reflect a myeloma patient’s status when followed and reviewed over time. No single test is adequate to tell the whole story of a patient’s current myeloma status. A trend or pattern reveals more than a single test result or study. Each test can be thought of as a piece of a puzzle; only when the pieces are assembled correctly can a patient and an experienced hematologist or oncologist make the proper inferences and decisions.

Test results are the most important tools that your doctor will use in order to: ¡ Diagnose monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM), and active multiple myeloma (MM). ¡ Assess the risk of progression of MGUS or SMM to active myeloma. ¡ Assess the stage of your myeloma. ¡ Assess your genetic risk factors. ¡ Evaluate response to treatment. ¡ Monitor remission periods and determine when to start treatment again. ¡ Monitor for disease-related and treatment-related side effects.