title: Diagnostic Advances in Multiple Myeloma.
abstract: There have been several advances in the diagnosis of multiple myeloma (MM) in recent years. Serum free light chains have improved the ability to diagnose light chain MM; however, there are still difficulties in the serologic diagnosis of MM in some cases, particularly IgA MM. A novel heavy/light chain assay is able to improve the accuracy of diagnosis in these cases. Free light chains may also improve the diagnosis of extramedullary disease in difficult cases such as disease involving the central nervous system, pleura, or ascites. Advances in imaging such as whole body low-dose computed tomography (CT) whole body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) have improved sensitivity in identifying lytic bone lesions, which would enable earlier treatment, and monitoring of osseous disease particularly in non- or oligosecretory disease. New techniques such as fused PET/MRI may further enhance the diagnosis of both bone lesions and extramedullary disease.
authors.affiliation: Multiple Myeloma Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave Levy Place, Box 1185, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Barley
authors.affiliation: Multiple Myeloma Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave Levy Place, Box 1185, New York, NY, 10029, USA. Ajai.Chari@mountsinai.org.
authors.forename: Ajai
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chari
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor
keywords: Diagnosis; Extramedullary disease; Free light chains; HevyLite; Multiple myeloma; Whole body low-dose CT