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Multiple Myeloma Differential Diagnosis

Coming to a multiple myeloma differential diagnosis involves ruling out certain conditions that cause the same symptoms. Other conditions that must be ruled out when making a multiple myeloma differential diagnosis include connective tissue disorders, causes of monoclonal gammopathy, skeletal metastases, and chronic infections. Doctors will perform the necessary tests to rule out these conditions and will discuss the patient's symptoms and medical history.

  1. Connective Tissue Disorders

    • Connective tissue disorders are disorders affect the body's connective tissues, such as the bones, ligaments, tendons, and other soft tissues. According to Med Line Plus, there are more than 200 different connective tissue disorders. For some, the cause is unknown, others are caused by infections or injuries, and some are genetic. When making a multiple myeloma differential diagnosis, doctors will rule out connective tissue disorders.

    Chronic Infections

    • Chronic infections are types of infections that last for long periods of time. When doctors are making a multiple myeloma differential diagnosis, they will rule out chronic infections. According to Cure Research, some of the most common chronic infections include chronic pancreatitis (pancreas infection), chronic hepatitis B or C (liver infection).

    Skeletal Metastases

    • Skeletal metastases are a type of cancer that has spread to a bone. According to the Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, the cancers that most often spread to the bones include prostate cancer, breast cancer, and lung cancer. Doctors who are making a multiple myeloma differential diagnosis will check for skeletal metastases and the cancers that most often cause them.

    Causes of Monoclonal Gammopathy

    • When trying to make a multiple myeloma differential diagnosis, doctors will look for other causes of monoclonal gammopathy. According to Medifocus, monoclonal gammopathy occurs when there is an increased level of specific antibodies in the body called monoclonal antibodies. Other medical conditions that may cause this include an undetermined significance of monoclonal gammopathy, amyloidosis, smoldering multiple myeloma, plasma cell leukemia, Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, and solitary plasmacytoma.

    Diagnosis

    • When doctors are trying to make a multiple myeloma differential diagnosis, they will use a variety of techniques to get to the heart of the problem. First, they will perform a physical exam, discuss the patient's symptoms, and ask them about their medical history, including family medical history. According to the Mayo Clinic, the following diagnostic tests will often be performed: urine analysis, bone marrow biopsy, blood tests, and imaging. Imaging studies may include X-ray, CT scan, and magnetic resonance imaging.

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