Smouldering myeloma Infosheet

If you have been diagnosed with smouldering myeloma, or are having tests for it, this Infosheet will help you understand the condition, how it is diagnosed and managed, and the links between smouldering myeloma and active myeloma.

This Infosheet covers key questions and topics about smouldering myeloma, including:

• What is smouldering myeloma?
• How is smouldering myeloma different from active myeloma, and from MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance)?
• Who gets smouldering myeloma?
• How is smouldering myeloma diagnosed?
• Will I get active myeloma?
• How will I be monitored?
• Will my smouldering myeloma be treated?
• When will my smouldering myeloma become active?
• Coping with the diagnosis
• Sources of support
• Living well with smouldering myeloma including:
  • Dealing with uncertainty and staying positive
  • Keeping healthy
  • Watching out for new symptoms
  • Travel

• Medical terms explained

Key points you can read about in this Infosheet include:

• Smouldering myeloma is an early form of the blood cancer myeloma
• Most people with smouldering myeloma go on to develop active myeloma at some point, but how long this takes varies
• Sometimes, smouldering myeloma stays unchanged and never develops into active myeloma
• Active myeloma is myeloma that has developed to a point where it needs to be treated. It is usually causing symptoms and complications
• Some people with smouldering myeloma develop a related condition called AL amyloidosis
• People with smouldering myeloma are not usually treated, but they are monitored regularly
• Smouldering myeloma does not cause symptoms
• Smouldering myeloma is usually detected by chance. Diagnosis is confirmed by tests and scans
• Test results can be used to indicate whether someone is at lower risk or higher risk of developing active myeloma
• It is impossible to know exactly when one person’s smouldering myeloma will become active
• Living with smouldering myeloma can bring challenges. However, there are sources of support available, and things you can do to live well with smouldering myeloma

Smouldering myeloma Infosheet

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