1. < Blood Cancers & Disorders

Is A Repeat Bone Marrow Biopsy Called for

Posted by richardab @richardab, Mar 24, 2023

I had a bone marrow biopsy several years ago, 40% plasma cells. My myeloma blood tests are slowly degrading. Over the last few tests, MPV has decreased and is now in the low range. I'm, of course going to discuss this with my oncologist in a few weeks. But I'm curious if anyone's doctor has ordered a repeat of their bone marrow biopsy? Thank you.

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richardab | @richardab | Oct 28 10:00am
In reply to @amyboylan1 "What does it mean if the collections weren’t sufficient." + (show)
@amyboylan1

What does it mean if the collections weren’t sufficient.

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Insufficient amounts of blood, aspirate, and clot were collected to analyze.

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amyboylan1 | @amyboylan1 | Oct 28 11:44am

Thanks for your response. There’s so much I don’t know.

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1 reply
richardab | @richardab | Oct 28 12:34pm
In reply to @amyboylan1 "Thanks for your response. There’s so much I don’t know." + (show)
@amyboylan1

Thanks for your response. There’s so much I don’t know.

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Me also. @Lori has been extremely helpful and generous with her time explaining this procedure.

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Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Oct 29 9:03am
In reply to @richardab "Hi Lori, no treatments yet, doctors not convinced of the need yet as other analyses, while..." + (show)
@richardab

Hi Lori, no treatments yet, doctors not convinced of the need yet as other analyses, while declining, haven't put me in the category of active Multiple Myeloma. Really bad Chronic Fatigue but the heme/onc I fired told me it wasn't being caused by cancer and he wasn't going to address it. He also blew off my reporting dimming eyesight with black spots and flashes of lights because "it wasn't caused by cancer". Needless to say, an opthamologist told me to come in immediately and found the central vein in my left eye is completely occluded so I'm geetting injections to hopefully reduce the swelling. Perhaps the sight will come back, maybe not. However, that doctor blowing off my concern violated his oath of office.

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Oh gosh, Richard, I’m so glad you kept pushing for answers with the changes in your vision and saw an ophthalmologist! Hopefully your sight will return fully with these treatments. That’s frighting to have a disruption in your eyesight and pretty easy to feel it’s related to your other health issues.

I agree, that was really dismissive of your oncologist in regard to your vision. A little more empathy and concern would have been comforting. Totally understandable to want to switch doctors after that. I would have made a change too!
As far as starting treatment it’s not uncommon to delay until absolutely necessary. I found a good article on MM from MD Anderson where it states, “Knowing when to treat multiple myeloma is a delicate balance. If you treat it too soon, the disease can become resistant to future treatments…”. Here’s the full article for you:
Multiple myeloma: When to treat and when to wait https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/multiple-myeloma--when-to-undergo-treatment-and-when-to-wait.h00-159386679.html

You mentioned PET/CT scans…did you also have those?

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1 reply
richardab | @richardab | Oct 30 4:25am
In reply to @loribmt "Oh gosh, Richard, I’m so glad you kept pushing for answers with the changes in your..." + (show)
@loribmt

Oh gosh, Richard, I’m so glad you kept pushing for answers with the changes in your vision and saw an ophthalmologist! Hopefully your sight will return fully with these treatments. That’s frighting to have a disruption in your eyesight and pretty easy to feel it’s related to your other health issues.

I agree, that was really dismissive of your oncologist in regard to your vision. A little more empathy and concern would have been comforting. Totally understandable to want to switch doctors after that. I would have made a change too!
As far as starting treatment it’s not uncommon to delay until absolutely necessary. I found a good article on MM from MD Anderson where it states, “Knowing when to treat multiple myeloma is a delicate balance. If you treat it too soon, the disease can become resistant to future treatments…”. Here’s the full article for you:
Multiple myeloma: When to treat and when to wait https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/multiple-myeloma--when-to-undergo-treatment-and-when-to-wait.h00-159386679.html

You mentioned PET/CT scans…did you also have those?

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Lori, thank you for the article, I'll give it a careful reading. Pet/CT scan scheduled for next week. Next eye injection for blocked vein Nov. 20. I'll just have to see if my vision in that eye ever improves; the literature mostly says no but the retina specialist is optimistic. I appreciate your support and hope your health is holding up.

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