The Critical Role of Imaging in the Management of Multiple Myeloma.
Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by abnormal proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow leading to symptoms of anemia, renal failure, hypercalcemia, and bone lesions. Bone imaging is critical for the diagnosis, staging, assessment for the presence and extent of bone lesions, and initial treatment of MM. Skeletal survey is the preferred initial imaging modality due to its availability and low cost. However, it has poor sensitivity and patients with occult myeloma may escape detection, delaying their diagnosis and treatment. New cross-sectional imaging modalities such as low-dose whole body CT, MRI, and PET-CT have high sensitivity and specificity for detecting lytic lesions and extramedullary relapse in MM. The combined use of cross-sectional imaging may provide complimentary information for staging, prognosis, and disease monitoring. In this review, we will discuss commonly used imaging modalities and their advantages and disadvantages in the management of MM.
Division of Hematology/Oncology, Columbia University Medical Center, Herbert Irving Pavilion, 161 Fort Washington Ave, New York, NY, 10032, USA. razashahzad2@gmail.com.
Shahzad
S
Raza
Division of Hematology/Oncology, Columbia University Medical Center, Herbert Irving Pavilion, 161 Fort Washington Ave, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
Siyang
S
Leng
Division of Hematology/Oncology, Columbia University Medical Center, Herbert Irving Pavilion, 161 Fort Washington Ave, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
Suzanne
S
Lentzsch
D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D000070631:Diastasis, Bone / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011379:Prognosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Bone; Imaging; MRI; Multiple myeloma; Pet