Comments on: Blood Disorder MGUS Precedes Most Cases Of Multiple Myeloma http://www.myelomabeacon.com/news/2009/03/04/blood-disorder-mgus-precedes-most-cases-of-multiple-myeloma/ Multiple myeloma news, resources, and online forums for patients, caregivers, and others interested in multiple myeloma. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 04:50:46 +0000 hourly 1 By: Beacon Staff http://www.myelomabeacon.com/news/2009/03/04/blood-disorder-mgus-precedes-most-cases-of-multiple-myeloma/comment-page-1/#comment-43340 Beacon Staff Tue, 18 Oct 2011 23:32:58 +0000 http://www.myelomabeacon.com/?p=7614#comment-43340 Dear Mary, Dr. Ola Landgren, an MGUS specialist at National Cancer Institute, NIH, in Bethesda, Maryland, said the following: This is a complicated question as it covers several aspects. Based on the information you provide, here is my answer: I don’t think a diagnosis of MGUS is the problem per se. Based on current knowledge, there is no evidence that MGUS or myeloma would spread to the recipient if a person with MGUS donated a kidney to another person. However, you are also saying that your kidneys leak (high levels of?) proteins, which, in that case, indicates that the kidney function is not optimal. For any person who wants to donate a kidney, and the kidney function is insufficient, there are things to consider. The recipient may not benefit from a insufficient kidney. In such a scenario, another donor is the preferable way to go. Also, a potential donor with poor kidney function runs the risk of needing a transplant him/herself in the future (due to only one kidney left, and that kidney is not working well). In most cases, MGUS patients have normal kidney function and there should not be a problem being a donor. Your kidney doctor and the kidney transplant doctor should be able to provide you with detailed information regarding the degree and type of kidney failure you have, and the potential need for additional work-up and follow-up. I hope this is useful. Dr. Landgren, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland Dear Mary,

Dr. Ola Landgren, an MGUS specialist at National Cancer Institute, NIH, in Bethesda, Maryland, said the following:

This is a complicated question as it covers several aspects. Based on the information you provide, here is my answer: I don’t think a diagnosis of MGUS is the problem per se. Based on current knowledge, there is no evidence that MGUS or myeloma would spread to the recipient if a person with MGUS donated a kidney to another person.

However, you are also saying that your kidneys leak (high levels of?) proteins, which, in that case, indicates that the kidney function is not optimal.

For any person who wants to donate a kidney, and the kidney function is insufficient, there are things to consider. The recipient may not benefit from a insufficient kidney. In such a scenario, another donor is the preferable way to go. Also, a potential donor with poor kidney function runs the risk of needing a transplant him/herself in the future (due to only one kidney left, and that kidney is not working well).

In most cases, MGUS patients have normal kidney function and there should not be a problem being a donor. Your kidney doctor and the kidney transplant doctor should be able to provide you with detailed information regarding the degree and type of kidney failure you have, and the potential need for additional work-up and follow-up.

I hope this is useful.

Dr. Landgren, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland

]]> By: mary ward http://www.myelomabeacon.com/news/2009/03/04/blood-disorder-mgus-precedes-most-cases-of-multiple-myeloma/comment-page-1/#comment-43275 mary ward Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:01:37 +0000 http://www.myelomabeacon.com/?p=7614#comment-43275 I found out I had MGUS after a blood test. I was trying to donate a kidney to my husband and it was all a go, but after my second 24 hour creatinine clearance came back with high protein traces I was denied, so my doc did some test and then sent me to a hematologist and they said I had high protein levels in my blood. Also the urologist from the transplant team said if they were to take my kidney to donate, that I may be his patient down the road. So is the protein in my urine and my blood high in protein because of the MGUS? Is there a cure, and why won't they let me donate my kidney to save my husband's life? If MGUS is harmless, why won't they let me donate, and is the high protein in my urine related to MGUS? - Frustrated in Florida, what can I do, any suggestions? I found out I had MGUS after a blood test. I was trying to donate a kidney to my husband and it was all a go, but after my second 24 hour creatinine clearance came back with high protein traces I was denied, so my doc did some test and then sent me to a hematologist and they said I had high protein levels in my blood. Also the urologist from the transplant team said if they were to take my kidney to donate, that I may be his patient down the road.

So is the protein in my urine and my blood high in protein because of the MGUS? Is there a cure, and why won’t they let me donate my kidney to save my husband’s life? If MGUS is harmless, why won’t they let me donate, and is the high protein in my urine related to MGUS?

- Frustrated in Florida, what can I do, any suggestions?

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