How is myeloma staged?

The tests you have can help to stage your cancer. Staging means finding out:

• Your type of cancer
• How it might affect you
• How best to treat your illness

Myeloma is normally staged using the international staging system. This system looks at the levels of two proteins in your blood. 

• Beta-2 microglobulin
• Albumin 

The level is described as the number of grams (g) or micrograms (mg) of the protein in every decilitre (dl) or litre (l) of blood.

Stage 1

• Beta-2 microglobulin = Less than 3.5mg/l 
• Albumin  = Greater than or equal to 3.5g/dl

Stage 2

• Beta-2 microglobulin = Somewhere between stage 1 and stage 3 levels
• Albumin  = Somewhere between stage 1 and stage 3 levels

Stage 3

• Beta-2 microglobulin = Greater than or equal to 5.5mg/l 

If multiple myeloma comes back after the first course of treatment, it is known as relapsed or recurrent multiple myeloma.