Myeloma Blood Tests Explained: CBC, M Spike & Light Chains | Multiple Myeloma in a Minute (https://www.myeloma.org/videos/myeloma-blood-tests-explained-cbc-m-spike-light-chains-multiple-myeloma-minute)
Myeloma Blood Tests Explained: CBC, M Spike & Light Chains | Multiple Myeloma in a Minute
Those with multiple myeloma have a lot of lab work, but which blood tests matter most? In this Myeloma in a Minute video, IMF Medical Advisor Dr. Joseph Mikhael breaks down the three key types of blood tests used in multiple myeloma.
He explains the complete blood count (CBC), chemical tests such as kidney function and calcium, and myeloma-specific tests including the M spike (monoclonal spike) and light chains. Understanding these blood tests can help patients better understand the lab work they see during multiple myeloma treatment.
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Dr. Joseph Mikhael:
Patients with multiple myeloma see a lot of lab work, but which one should they really pay attention to? Hi everybody, Dr. Joe here from the International Myeloma Foundation, and I'm going to break down blood test results in less than a minute.
So in multiple myeloma, we have three key blood tests. Number one, the complete blood count. This looks at the red blood cell count, the white blood cell count, and the platelets, tells us a bit about the bone marrow function. Number two, we have all the chemical tests. This is like the kidney function, the calcium. These reflect organ function and how well the organs are working. And then thirdly, and most importantly, there are the myeloma specific tests, which are typically an M spike or a monoclonal spike, which speaks of the abnormal protein that is made by the myeloma cell that's measured either in the blood or the urine.
And we also look at the light chains because some patients have both an M spike and light chains, some only have light chains. And those abnormal light chains also need to come down as we treat multiple myeloma. Have more questions about multiple myeloma? Drop them in the box below using the hashtag #asktheimf.
Joseph Mikhael, MD, MEd, FRCPC, FACP, FASCO
International Myeloma Foundation Medical Advisor
TGen, City of Hope Cancer Center—Phoenix, AZ, USA
Dr Mikhael is a Professor in the Clinical Genomics and Therapeutics Division at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), an affiliate of City of Hope Cancer Center. He is also the Director of Myeloma research at the HonorHealth Research Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona. Dr Mikhael specializes clinically in plasma cell disorders, namely multiple myeloma, amyloidosis, and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia. He is the PI of many clinical trials, primarily in relapsed multiple myeloma, and his other clinical research interests include pharmaco-economics, communication skills, and media relations.
Dr. Mikhael recently served as the Chief Medical Officer of the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) from 2018 to 2026 – he now serves as Medical Advisor to the IMF to provide guidance and strategic input in areas such as patient education, health disparities, collaboration with partners, international research, and publications.
Dr Mikhael has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles in these fields and lectures internationally on a regular basis. Dr. Mikhael is deeply committed to health disparities in myeloma and is the chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council at TGen. Dr. Mikhael is heavily involved in training future researchers and mentors junior faculty worldwide. Dr. Mikhael is an active member of the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) and recently led the ASCO guidelines in myeloma. Dr. Mikhael also serves as the Treasurer on the executive of the American Society of Hematology.
Dr. Mikhael did his medical training in Canada, including a fellowship in Multiple Myeloma at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. He also obtained his master’s degree in education from the University of Toronto. He then worked at the Mayo Clinic Arizona as a Hematologist from 2008-2018.
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