@dmdinapoli81
Isn’t “crosstalk” the purpose?

@dmdinapoli81 As the administrator of a board myself, I am well aware of how threads tend to drift. That seems a little harsh, however. While there are of course diagnostic criteria, the MGUS/SMM/MM spectrum is a continuum, and lines can get a little blurry on the borders.

I'm an example. Technically I've been high-risk MGUS for nearly two years. I've had three marrow biopsies during that time, because my doctor (a hem/onc whom I like a lot) keeps expecting to find >10% plasma cell involvement. Hasn't happened yet. However, a recent 24-hour urine showed significantly-increased albuminuria and bence jones proteinuria, and prompted a kidney biopsy (next week); the results may mean that I start treatment. The chart now notes SMM despite BMB results; MGRS is also in the mix.

It's a complex disease.

@dmdinapoli81 I believe the title of this discussion is "blood cancers and disorders." That says it: it's not narrowly limited to SMM.

@dmdinapoli81, you're quite right that the title of this discussion is "Smoldering Multiple Myeloma (SMM). Questions and Answers".

As @wesleym @amberl99 @rimord point out, SMM is closely related to MGUS and multiple myeloma, conditions that also belong is the Blood Cancers & Disorders support forum. As with conversations in real life, like around the dinner table, topics will go off course and come back on track.

The Community Guidelines (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/) remind us to stay on topic. When a conversation makes a tangent, that's okay. It happens. Then we can bring it back on topic with respect.

Let's keep Mayo Clinic Connect informative, supportive, and above all a place that is welcoming.