Flowcytometry - Multiple Myeloma Panel Test
About Flowcytometry - Multiple Myeloma Panel Test
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | MM Panel by Flow Cytometry, Myeloma Immunophenotyping Panel, FCM Multiple Myeloma Panel, Plasma Cell Panel by Flow Cytometry |
| Sample Type | Bone marrow aspirate and peripheral blood |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required |
| Report Time | 3 days |
| Recommended For | Adults of all genders, particularly those with suspected or confirmed multiple myeloma or plasma cell disorders |
| Price | Starting at ₹9,450 |
What Is a Flowcytometry - Multiple Myeloma Panel Test?
The flowcytometry - multiple myeloma panel test is a specialised laboratory test that examines cells in a bone marrow sample to identify abnormal plasma cells. It uses a technique called flow cytometry, which passes cells through a laser beam to detect specific protein markers on their surface. Doctors use it to diagnose multiple myeloma and related plasma cell disorders and to monitor how well treatment is working. It is also known as the MM panel by flow cytometry, the myeloma immunophenotyping panel, the FCM multiple myeloma panel, or the plasma cell panel by flow cytometry.
What Does a Flowcytometry - Multiple Myeloma Panel Test Measure?
This test analyses a set of protein markers, called antigens, found on the surface of plasma cells. Each marker helps the laboratory distinguish normal plasma cells from abnormal ones. The markers examined in this panel are listed below:
| Marker | What It Indicates |
|---|---|
| CD38 | Commonly expressed on plasma cells; helps identify and count them in bone marrow |
| CD138 (Syndecan-1) | A key plasma cell marker; used alongside CD38 for greater accuracy |
| CD19 | Present on normal plasma cells; absent in more than 99% of myeloma cases |
| CD56 | Absent on normal plasma cells; its presence may suggest a more aggressive disease |
| CD45 | Helps tell normal plasma cells apart from abnormal ones; typically absent or faint in myeloma |
| CD20, CD27, CD81, CD117 | Additional markers that help characterise the plasma cell population |
| Kappa and Lambda light chains | Assessed to detect light chain restriction, a key feature of myeloma |
Why Is a Flowcytometry - Multiple Myeloma Panel Test Done?
This test is used in several clinical situations, from initial diagnosis to long-term disease monitoring. Below are the main reasons a doctor may request it.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
A doctor may request the flowcytometry - multiple myeloma panel when a patient presents with the following symptoms:
- Persistent bone pain, particularly in the back, chest, pelvis, or upper legs
- Unexplained fatigue and weakness, which may point to anaemia
- Frequent or recurring infections, especially chest infections
- Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
- Constipation, drowsiness, or confusion that may be linked to raised calcium levels
- Nausea or a general feeling of being unwell without a clear cause
- Easy bruising or unusual bleeding
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
This test can help identify or rule out the following conditions:
- Multiple myeloma (MM), a cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow
- Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), a pre-cancerous plasma cell condition
- Smouldering multiple myeloma (SMM), an intermediate stage between MGUS and active myeloma
- Other plasma cell or bone marrow disorders that resemble multiple myeloma
- Measurable residual disease (MRD) in patients who have already received treatment
Flowcytometry - Multiple Myeloma Panel Test for Chronic Disease Monitoring
After treatment for multiple myeloma, this test is used to check whether any cancerous plasma cells remain in the bone marrow. Detecting measurable residual disease helps a haematologist confirm whether remission has been achieved and guide further treatment decisions. Regular monitoring, including at annual follow-up visits, allows the medical team to track the disease and respond promptly to any changes.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
This test involves a bone marrow aspiration procedure, which requires some preparation. The steps below explain what to do before your appointment and what happens during sample collection.
Do You Need to Fast?
No specific fasting is required for this test. However, if your doctor plans to use sedation during the bone marrow aspiration, you may be asked to fast for a few hours beforehand. Always follow your doctor's individual instructions.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
A few steps before your appointment will help the procedure go smoothly:
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and any relevant medical records, as this is required for the test
- Tell your doctor about all medications you are currently taking, particularly blood thinners, as these may need to be paused before the procedure
- Inform your doctor if you have a bleeding disorder
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows easy access to the hip area
- If sedation is planned, arrange for someone to take you home after the procedure
Step-by-Step Procedure
This test requires two types of samples: a bone marrow aspirate and a peripheral blood sample, both collected into EDTA tubes. The steps below cover the flowcytometry - multiple myeloma panel test procedure:
- The procedure is carried out in a hospital or clinic. If sedation is needed, it is given at this stage. The skin over the collection site, usually the hip bone, is cleaned thoroughly.
- A local anaesthetic (numbing medicine) is injected into the skin and the surface of the bone to reduce discomfort.
- A special needle is inserted into the bone. A small amount of bone marrow fluid (approximately 3 ml) is drawn out using gentle suction and collected into a lavender-top EDTA tube.
- A peripheral blood sample (approximately 3 ml) is also drawn from a vein in your arm and placed into a separate lavender-top EDTA tube.
- Both samples are labelled and stored at 2 to 8°C for transport to the laboratory.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
- Dilution of the bone marrow sample with peripheral blood during aspiration, which reduces sample quality
- Delay in transporting the sample to the laboratory, as antigen loss occurs with time
- Low bone marrow cellularity, which can reduce the test's ability to detect abnormal cells
- Medications such as blood thinners, if not disclosed prior to the procedure
- Inadequate sample volume collected during aspiration
Understanding Your Flowcytometry - Multiple Myeloma Panel Test Results
Results from this test require careful interpretation by a qualified haematologist or oncologist, who will review them alongside your symptoms, medical history, and other investigations. The table below provides general reference findings:
| Parameter | Normal Finding | Possible Clinical Significance |
|---|---|---|
| CD38/CD138+ Plasma Cells | Low percentage of bone marrow cells | An elevated percentage suggests myeloma |
| CD19 Expression | Positive on normal plasma cells | Absent (negative) expression is typical of myeloma cells |
| CD56 Expression | Negative on normal plasma cells | Positive in myeloma cases |
| CD45 Expression | Positive on normal plasma cells | Reduced or absent in myeloma cases |
| CD27 Expression | Positive on normal plasma cells | Reduced or absent may indicate abnormal plasma cells |
| CD81 Expression | Positive on normal plasma cells | Loss of expression can help identify abnormal plasma cells |
| CD117 Expression | Generally absent on normal plasma cells | Positive expression seen in a subset of myeloma cases |
| CD20 Expression | Variable on normal plasma cells | Assessed as part of the full immunophenotypic profile |
| Kappa/Lambda (cKappa/cLambda) Ratio | Balanced (polyclonal expression) | Restriction to one light chain type indicates a clonal, abnormal population |
These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
- Haemodilution, where the bone marrow sample becomes diluted with peripheral blood during aspiration, can alter cell percentages and affect result interpretation.
- Sample ageing between collection and laboratory processing leads to antigen loss on the cell surface, which can reduce the accuracy of marker detection.
- Samples with very low total cell counts may reduce the sensitivity of the assay, making it harder to detect small numbers of abnormal cells.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
If you have been diagnosed with a plasma cell disorder, the following general steps support your overall wellbeing:
- Attend all follow-up appointments with your haematologist as scheduled so that any changes in your condition are caught early.
- Report new or worsening symptoms, such as bone pain, fatigue, or frequent infections, to your doctor without delay.
- Follow a balanced diet and maintain good hydration to support bone health and immune function.
Lupin Diagnostics Flowcytometry - Multiple Myeloma Panel Test Price
The flowcytometry - multiple myeloma panel test cost starts at ₹9,450 at Lupin Diagnostics. This test requires a visit to a hospital; home collection is not available for this test, as bone marrow aspiration must be performed by trained medical staff at a clinical facility. The table below shows indicative prices across major cities:
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 9450 |
| CHENNAI | 9450 |
| HYDERABAD | 9450 |
| KOLKATA | 9450 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 9450 |
| PUNE | 9450 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
Follow these steps for flowcytometry - multiple myeloma panel test online booking:
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time for sample collection by trained clinical staff.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within 3 days of sample collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
This test is used to detect and characterise abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow. It helps diagnose multiple myeloma and related conditions such as MGUS and smouldering myeloma. It is also used to monitor patients who have completed treatment to check whether any cancerous cells remain.
The abnormal plasma cells associated with multiple myeloma are found primarily in the bone marrow, not in the bloodstream. A bone marrow aspirate gives the laboratory direct access to these cells and provides far more accurate results than a blood sample alone.
A local anaesthetic is injected before the procedure to numb the area, so most patients experience only mild discomfort. There may be a brief sensation of pressure when the marrow is drawn. Any soreness at the site generally settles within a day or two.
The flowcytometry - multiple myeloma panel test identifies and counts abnormal plasma cells based on their surface markers and detects clonality. A FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridisation) test, by contrast, looks for specific chromosomal or genetic abnormalities within myeloma cells. Both tests are often used together to build a complete picture of the disease.
Yes. Flow cytometry is sensitive enough to detect very small numbers of remaining myeloma cells in the bone marrow after treatment. This is called measurable residual disease (MRD) assessment. Detecting MRD helps the haematologist assess whether remission has been achieved and whether further treatment is needed.
The frequency depends entirely on your clinical situation. In general, it is recommended after treatment to confirm remission, at annual follow-up visits for patients in remission, and whenever there is uncertainty about the disease status. Your haematologist will advise the appropriate schedule for your case.
Flowcytometry - Multiple Myeloma Panel Test
