Novel testing approaches better equip physicians to identify myeloma risks
Adriana Rossi, M.D., of the Multiple Myeloma Center at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, spoke to Healio/HemOnc Today about how physicians are becoming better equipped to detect monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, which may help identify patients at risk for myeloma.
“Every primary care doctor and nephrologist is learning to send a [serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) test] and we are identifying monoclonal gammopathies at an unprecedented rate,” she said. “Not all of them will meet criteria for myeloma … but if the patient has any symptomatology that could be related, we shouldn’t miss the opportunity to pursue it and to alleviate their symptoms.”
Rossi mentions how increased information about plasma cell dyscrasias and the availability of the SEER data will likely help patients.
“As we’re better able to diagnose and find these patients, we’re getting an opportunity to intervene and decrease their suffering,” she said.