What is mgus cancer

Not everybody who has MGUS is referred to a haematologist. Your doctor decides if this is needed based on your symptoms and test results. As well as tests, your doctor may physically examine you and ask some questions about your health. You will have a blood test that measures the amount and type of paraprotein made by the plasma cells. You will also have a test to check the number of different types of blood cell full blood count. Your doctor may arrange blood tests to check how well your liver and kidneys are working.

This is to check your general health, but also because myeloma can affect these organs. You may also have your calcium levels checked, as myeloma can cause increased calcium levels. Some types of paraprotein can be found in the urine. You may be asked to give samples of your urine to check for these. You may need to take a container home and collect your urine for 24 hours. The nurses will explain more about how to do this test.

Your doctor may arrange for you to have some x-rays. This is to check for damage to the bones, which can be caused by myeloma. A doctor or specialist nurse takes a small sample of bone marrow from the back of the hip bone pelvis.

The sample is sent to a laboratory to be checked for abnormal cells. This is done to look for myeloma cells in the bone marrow. MGUS does not usually need treatment as it rarely causes any symptoms.

In most people, MGUS remains stable and never causes any problems. There is a small risk of MGUS developing into a cancer, such as myeloma or lymphoma. If this happens, it can cause certain symptoms.

Always contact your doctor if you have any of these symptoms:. Your doctor may also recommend you have regular blood tests. These will be like the ones you had at diagnosis. In the first year you may have blood tests every few months. As in multiple myeloma , MGUS begins in a type of white blood cells called plasma cells, which produce M protein. Moderately elevated levels of this protein in the blood rarely result in symptoms, but some people with MGUS may experience peripheral neuropathy — pain or burning in the hands and feet.

MGUS has been linked to exposure to certain chemicals. In particular, US Air Force veterans who participated in the spraying missions of the herbicide Agent Orange during the Vietnam War have a more than twofold increased risk of developing the condition.

MGUS can be precancerous. However, this occurs in a very small percentage of people. Most people with MGUS remain well for many years without ever developing active disease. The highest incidence is among adults aged 85 and older. The condition is usually detected incidentally during a routine check-up when a blood test shows an increase in the blood protein level. The diagnosis is then confirmed by having a particular blood test called a serum electropheresis test which identifies the abnormal antibody.

MGUS has a number of clinical features. MGUS does not require any active treatment, however monitoring is recommended. Monitoring of MGUS includes regular clinical assessment and follow up measurements of serum protein. The serum protein should be checked after three months and then again at six months to establish a firm diagnosis of MGUS.