FISH Testing for Multiple Myeloma
- Looking at the genetic makeup of multiple myeloma cells can help in deciding how aggressive treatment should be and what therapy to take.
- A fluorescence in situ hybridization test (FISH) is one of the most common genetic tests for multiple myeloma that’s used to analyze cancer cells to detect genetic changes associated with certain risk factors or abnormalities.
- It’s important to talk to your doctor about whether FISH testing is part of your workup and when repeat FISH testing may be needed.
A fluorescence in situ hybridization test (FISH) is one of the most common genetic tests for multiple myeloma that’s used to analyze cancer cells to detect genetic changes associated with certain risk factors or abnormalities.
Read MoreBy analyzing the cancer cells closely, your doctor can decide what treatment will benefit you most. “We use this data to tell us whether or not this is high risk versus standard risk, which potentially can help us to guide the treatment,” Dr. Ye explains.
Why Do I Need FISH Testing for Multiple Myeloma?
This laboratory test allows your medical team to take a close look at the genetic makeup of your cancer cells. By doing this, they’re able to create a personalized treatment plan for you, based on the findings of your FISH test, along with additional diagnostic tests.
FISH testing may help guide:
- Diagnosis: FISH testing may pinpoint specific chromosomal abnormalities that are linked to multiple myeloma or other types of cancer.
- Prognosis: Certain changes in the chromosomes may suggest how fast or slow the cancer will grow or spread.
- Response to therapy: FISH testing may help provide crucial data about how your cancer will respond to certain treatments and drugs.
- Post-treatment outcome: Repeat FISH testing after treatment helps determine if the cancer has responded to treatment in the way your doctor expected.
In addition to helping your medical team pinpoint the best course of treatment, FISH testing can also aid in predicting the likelihood of your cancer returning.
How Does FISH Testing Guide Treatment?
According to Dr. Ye, FISH testing can help with treatment decisions in a multiple myeloma patient by looking at chromosomal abnormalities. These changes in chromosomes can indicate whether you have a high-risk or standard-risk multiple myeloma.
“If this is a high-risk patient, we probably would consider a longer treatment option or duration,” Dr. Ye adds. Treatment for multiple myeloma consists of three phases, including induction therapy, consolidation therapy, and maintenance therapy.
RELATED: How is the Induction Therapy Regimen Determined?
For patients who are at standard risk, “we may want to consider how to deescalate the treatment if needed so that we can reduce the toxicity from the treatment.”
For high-risk patients, “we tend to continue this maintenance therapy for much longer.” Dr. Ye explains that maintenance therapy is often a “lifelong treatment” for patients at high-risk versus standard risk.
Talk to Your Doctor About FISH Testing
FISH testing may not always be used as a diagnostic tool. Additionally, your doctor may not always order repeat FISH testing after treatment, especially if you have a complete response to therapy and have no evidence of disease. This is determined on a case-by-case basis.
It’s important to talk to your doctor about whether FISH testing is part of your workup and when repeat FISH testing may be needed. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about your test results and what they mean in terms of your treatment plan.
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