Several tests are done to confirm diagnosis of multiple myeloma:
- The blood and urine are tested for an abnormal immunoglobin, or antibody. If this type of immunoglobin is found in high levels, it may indicate multiple myeloma.
- Bone X-ray.
- MRI.
- Bone marrow aspiration.
Treatment for multiple myeloma will include chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Surgery is generally not an option to treat multiple myeloma. However, emergency surgery may be necessary if the disease causes sudden paralysis, muscle weakness, or numbness. Bone marrow transplantation is also an option to treat multiple myeloma.
Multiple myeloma can be detected at three stages: Stage I (small number of myeloma cells) to Stage III (large number of myeloma cells). The patient’s outlook depends on the stage of diagnosis.
- The five-year survival rate for a Stage I diagnosis is 50 percent. The median survival time is over 60 months.
- The five-year survival rate for a Stage II diagnosis is 40 percent. The median survival time is about 41 months.
- The five-year survival rate for a Stage III diagnosis is 10 to 25 percent. The median survival time is about 23 months.
There is no known prevention for multiple myeloma.
