Diagnósticos
A healthcare professional takes a medical history and does a physical exam to diagnose POEMS syndrome. A healthcare professional also does an exam to check the nervous system, called a neurological exam. POEMS syndrome can be hard to diagnose because the symptoms are complex, and they affect many organs.
Tests
There might be several tests for POEMS syndrome. They include:
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Electromyographic studies. Also called EMG studies, this test measures the electrical activity of muscles. A healthcare professional puts small needles called electrodes into the skin.
The electrodes measure the electrical activity of the muscle at rest and when tightened. This can show how well the muscle and the nerves that control it work.
- Nerve biopsy. A healthcare professional removes a small piece of nerve for study under a microscope.
- Imaging tests. These might include CT scans or positron emission tomography, also called PET scans, and CT scans. This can help find the bone hardening that is common in POEMS syndrome.
- Blood tests. Blood tests such as a complete blood count, also called a CBC, can give information about your condition. Another type of blood test may involve looking at a sample of your blood under a microscope. This is called a peripheral blood smear.
- Urine tests. A healthcare professional may ask you to collect your urine for 24 hours for study under a microscope.
Tratamientos
Treatment for POEMS syndrome might ease symptoms but doesn't cure the condition. Treatments include radiation therapy, chemotherapy and stem cell transplant. The outlook for people with POEMS syndrome has improved greatly over the past decade or so.
- Radiation therapy. This uses powerful energy beams. People whose POEMS syndrome is limited to a small area may have this type of therapy.
- Chemotherapy. This treats POEMS with strong medicines. People whose POEMS syndrome is more advanced may have this type of therapy.
- Bone marrow transplant. A bone marrow transplant, also called a bone marrow stem cell transplant, involves putting healthy bone marrow stem cells into the body to help bone marrow work better. Some people with advanced POEMS syndrome may have this type of therapy.
- Physical therapy. This can help with the weakness and other symptoms of polyneuropathy.
Preparación para la consulta
You might start by seeing your primary healthcare professional. You may be sent to a specialist in blood conditions, called a hematologist. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.
What you can do
When you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as fasting before having a certain test. Make a list of:
- Your symptoms, including any that seem unrelated to the reason for your appointment, and when they began.
- Key personal information, including major stresses, recent life changes and family medical history.
- All medicines, vitamins or other supplements you take, including the dosages.
- Questions to ask your healthcare professional.
Take a family member or friend along, if possible, to help you remember the information you get.
For POEMS syndrome, some basic questions to ask your healthcare professional include:
- What's likely causing my symptoms?
- Other than the most likely cause, what are other possible causes for my symptoms?
- What tests do I need?
- Is my condition likely to go away or to last?
- What's the best course of action?
- I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
- Are there restrictions I need to follow?
- Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What websites do you suggest?
Be sure to ask all the questions you have.
What to expect from your doctor
Your healthcare professional is likely to ask you questions, such as:
- Do you always have your symptoms or do they come and go?
- How bad are your symptoms?
- What, if anything, seems to ease your symptoms?
- What, if anything, seems to make your symptoms worse?