Getting diagnosed

Referral to a specialist for symptoms of myeloma

Your GP should arrange for you to see a specialist if you have symptoms or abnormal blood test results that could be due to myeloma. This is an urgent suspected cancer referral.

Seeing your GP

It can be hard for GPs to decide who may have cancer and who might have a more minor condition. For some symptoms, your doctor may ask you to wait to see if the symptoms get better or respond to treatment, such as antibiotics.

Your GP might arrange for you to have some tests first. This will help them decide if you need to see a specialist.

You will see a specialist or have tests as soon as possible. Ask your GP when this is likely to be.

UK guidelines

There are guidelines for GPs to help them decide who needs a referral. These vary slightly between the different UK nations. Your GP will use these guidelines as well as their own experience and judgement.

Usually doctors use blood and urine tests to look for abnormal proteins (monoclonal protein). These proteins might also be called M-protein or paraprotein.

The guidelines for England and Wales are for myeloma. And the Northern Ireland and Scottish guidelines are for all blood cancers, not just myeloma.

Same day (emergency referral)

You should have a same day (emergency) referral to a specialist if:

your blood test result suggests that you have or chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)
your blood test or results suggest that you have . And you have symptoms of caused by cancer or you have kidney damage that has come on suddenly

Urgent referral

You should have an urgent referral to a specialist if you have a higher than normal number of in your blood and you have any one of the following:

weight loss, high temperature (fever) or heavy night sweats
swollen and, or a larger than normal
blood test results showing low levels of red blood cells, or

You should have an urgent referral to a specialist if you have test results suggesting that you have myeloma and one of the following:

high levels in your blood
kidney problems
bone pain

You should have an urgent referral to a specialist if you have lymph node swelling in two or more areas, particularly if you also have heavy night sweats or weight loss and, or:

a larger than normal
a larger than normal spleen

You should have an urgent referral to a specialist and, or a for a swollen lymph node that has no obvious cause. And the node is at least 2cm long, doesn’t go away after 6 weeks or is getting bigger.

Myeloma

There are more guidelines for myeloma. They say that your GP should consider a blood test, particularly if you are over 60, and you have any of the following symptoms that can’t be explained:

bone pain - particularly pain in the bones in your back
bone , or you have an x-ray which suggests that you might have myeloma
feeling very tired (fatigue)
peeing more than usual or feeling very thirsty
numbness, tingling or a change in sensation, usually in your fingers and toes – this is called
infections that keep coming back
high calcium levels in your blood
kidney problems or
bone pain

Your GP will arrange more blood tests and urine tests if your result shows that you may have myeloma.

Remember most people with one or more of these symptoms don't have myeloma. But it's important to get any symptoms checked out by your GP.

Other symptoms

Your GP will consider any other symptoms that you are having, so do mention these. They might also take into account whether you have any risk factors that affect your chances of developing myeloma.

If you're still worried

Sometimes you might feel that your GP is not concerned enough about your symptoms. If you think they should be more concerned, print this page and the symptoms page. Ask your GP to explain why they don’t think you need a referral.

Contact your GP again if your symptoms don't get better or you notice any new or unusual symptoms.

What should you do if you don’t get an appointment?

If your GP has referred you, ask them when you should get your appointment. Contact them again if you don’t get one. Or some hospitals have a referral service you could try contacting if you know which hospital you are going to. Explain that you are waiting for an urgent suspected cancer referral

Waiting times

Your hospital is working towards waiting time targets. For example, a target to find out whether you have cancer or not. And there are targets to start treatment if you are diagnosed with cancer. These are slightly different depending on where you live in the UK.

Find out about other cancer waiting times

Last reviewed: 20 Dec 2023

Next review due: 20 Dec 2026

Risks and causes of myeloma

We don't know what causes most cases of myeloma. There are some known risk factors. Even if you have one or more risk factors, it does not mean that you will definitely get myeloma.

Symptoms of myeloma

Myeloma doesn't always cause symptoms in its early stages. It might be picked up on a routine blood test. The main symptoms include bone pain in the back, hips and ribs and tiredness.

What is myeloma?

Myeloma is a type of blood cancer that develops from plasma cells made in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the spongy tissue found inside the inner part of some of our large bones.

Tests to diagnose myeloma

To diagnose myeloma you usually have blood and urine tests first. Depending on the results of these you might have a bone marrow test, x-rays and scans.

Seeing your GP about symptoms of myeloma

See your doctor if you have any of the possible signs and symptoms of myeloma.

Dangoor Education

About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since 2010. Learn more about Dangoor Education

Help and Support

Find a Clinical Trial

Search our clinical trials database for all cancer trials and studies recruiting in the UK.

Cancer Chat forum

Connect with other people affected by cancer and share your experiences.

Nurse helpline

Questions about cancer? Call freephone 0808 800 40 40 from 9 to 5 - Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can email us.