Your doctor may see signs of relapse using a lab test or imaging study. They will regularly monitor your multiple myeloma using the same tests used at diagnosis. Repeating the same tests will give them a good sense of comparison.
These tests may include blood and urine tests that help to measure the monoclonal protein (sometimes called “M protein”) that myeloma cells release into your blood and/or urine. Your doctor may also check your bones using imaging studies like x-ray or MRI. They may evaluate your bone marrow, as well, requiring aspiration and biopsy.