Shaji Kumar, MD

About the interview

In this interview, Dr. Shaji Kumar, Research Chair and Consultant in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, at Mayo Clinic, explains the diagnostic process for multiple myeloma. Dr. Kumar emphasizes the importance of identifying key laboratory findings that could indicate myeloma, such as anemia, hypercalcemia, and renal dysfunction. He discusses the steps required to confirm the presence of a monoclonal gammopathy and the subsequent diagnostic workup to classify the specific type of plasma cell disorder. Dr. Kumar also highlights the significance of regular monitoring and the advancements in understanding disease progression markers.

Key discussion points:

• Identifying myeloma through laboratory findings such as anemia, hypercalcemia, and elevated creatinine
• The importance of serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP), immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE), and serum free light chain (sFLC) assays in diagnosing monoclonal gammopathies
• The role of bone marrow biopsy, complete blood counts, and metabolic panels in further diagnostic characterization
• Utilizing imaging techniques like PET CT or skeletal CT to detect bone lesions and symptomatic myeloma
• The need for regular evaluation and discussion of smoldering myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)