What should I bring to my first oncology appointment for Multiple Myeloma

What to Bring to Your First Multiple Myeloma Oncology Appointment

Your first appointment with an oncologist is an important step. Being prepared helps your care team understand your situation better and makes the most of your time together. Here's what to bring:

Essential [ID removed]

Previous test results and imaging:

• Any blood work (CBC, metabolic panel, kidney function tests)
• Bone marrow biopsy results if already completed
• Imaging reports (PET/CT, MRI, CT scans, or bone surveys)
• Pathology reports confirming your myeloma diagnosis
• FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) results showing chromosomal abnormalities

According to the NCCN Guidelines for Multiple Myeloma, your oncology team will need baseline laboratory studies including complete blood count (CBC), kidney function tests, calcium levels, LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), and beta-2 microglobulin results. If you've already had these done, bring those reports.

M protein and immunoglobulin results:

• Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) results
• Serum immunofixation electrophoresis (SIFE) results
• Free light chain assay results
• Urine protein electrophoresis (UPEP) results if available

These help your doctor track your disease burden (the amount of cancer in your body).

Personal Health Information

Medical history documentation:

• List of all current medications (including doses and how often you take them)
• List of any allergies or medication sensitivities
• Summary of other medical conditions (diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, etc.)
• Family history of cancer or myeloma
• Insurance card and photo ID

Questions and Symptom Information

Written symptom log:

• Bone pain (where, how severe, what helps)
• Fatigue or weakness
• Infections or fever
• Bruising or bleeding
• Kidney problems or changes in urination
• Any other symptoms you've noticed

List of questions you want to ask (see suggestions below)

Questions to Ask Your Oncologist

According to NCCN Guidelines, here are important questions for your first appointment:

1. About your diagnosis:

   • What type of myeloma do I have (IgG, IgA, light chain, etc.)?
   • What do my genetic test results (FISH panel) mean for my treatment?
   • Am I considered standard risk or high risk based on my test results?

2. About treatment planning:

   • Am I a candidate for a hematopoietic cell transplant (blood stem cell transplant)?
   • What are my treatment options?
   • What is the preferred first treatment for my situation?
   • Will I need chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination?

3. About monitoring:

   • How often will I need follow-up appointments?
   • What tests will I need during treatment (blood work, imaging)?
   • How will we measure if treatment is working?

4. About side effects and support:

   • What side effects should I expect?
   • What can I do to manage side effects?
   • Do you have supportive care resources (nutrition, social work, financial assistance)?

5. About your care team:

   • Will I see the same doctor each visit?
   • Who do I contact if I have urgent questions between appointments?
   • Do you recommend a second opinion?

Why This Matters

The NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Multiple Myeloma emphasize that being prepared helps you:

• Get accurate diagnosis and staging information
• Understand your specific risk factors
• Make informed decisions about treatment
• Establish a strong partnership with your care team

Additional Tips

• Bring a support person if possible—they can help take notes and ask questions
• Arrive early to allow time for check-in
• Bring a notebook to write down important information
• Ask for copies of any new test results or treatment plans before you leave

Remember, your oncologist expects patients to have questions and may not have all previous records immediately available. Don't worry if you can't find everything—your care team can request records from other providers. The key is being as organized as possible so your first appointment focuses on understanding your diagnosis and planning your care.

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This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare team for personalized medical advice and decisions.