**New MRI Technique Offers Hope for Myeloma Patients by Detecting Hidden Cancer Traces**
A pioneering scanning method is giving new hope to individuals grappling with myeloma, a challenging form of blood cancer, by revealing traces of the disease that conventional medical tests often miss. Researchers are hailing the development of a whole-body MRI scan as a potential game-changer in the way clinicians identify and monitor minimal residual disease in myeloma patients.
Myeloma, sometimes referred to as multiple myeloma due to its ability to affect multiple parts of the body, develops from plasma cells residing in the bone marrow. Although not currently considered curable, advancements in treatment have dramatically improved patient outcomes in recent years. This latest breakthrough adds yet another tool in the ongoing battle to control the disease.
Traditionally, doctors have relied on blood tests, bone marrow biopsies, CT scans, and X-rays to track the progress of myeloma and evaluate patient responses to therapy. However, these assessments can sometimes overlook tiny amounts of residual disease that can lurk in the body and threaten relapse. The introduction of the whole-body MRI, developed by scientists at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and The Institute of Cancer Research, London, marks a significant shift.
In a recent study published in the Blood Cancer Journal, 70 individuals undergoing stem cell transplants for myeloma received whole-body MRI scans both before and after their procedures. The results were striking: one in three patients still had signs of residual disease on these high-resolution scans, even when other standard tests suggested they were cancer-free. The research further demonstrated that patients whose scans detected lingering disease faced a shorter overall survival rate.
The advantages of this innovative scanning approach are clear, according to the team. Unlike some other imaging techniques, whole-body MRI does not involve exposure to radiation or the need for intravenous contrast agents—factors that are particularly important for those who require ongoing monitoring throughout their treatment journey. Experts say the technology allows clinicians to tailor treatments with greater accuracy, reducing overtreatment and helping to catch relapses earlier.
The new MRI technique has already been implemented at The Royal Marsden hospital, where it is helping to inform patient care paths and could soon become a central part of myeloma treatment throughout the UK. According to Professor Christina Messiou, consultant radiologist at The Royal Marsden and professor of imaging for personalised oncology, the whole-body MRI offers clinicians vital information that helps personalise and improve management strategies for each patient. “It’s exciting that we now have a standardised, non-invasive imaging method that can be used across cancer centres… This is an important step towards smarter and kinder precision diagnostics for patients with cancer,” she remarked.
The real-world impact of this technology is already being felt. Air Vice-Marshal Fin Monahan, chief fire officer for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and a myeloma patient since 2009, credits the new scanning approach with extending his life. “With the constant threat of relapse, myeloma patients are in a long-term mental battle with this insidious disease. However, being part of the whole-body MRI scan study at the Royal Marsden allowed my cancer to be closely watched and resulted in me being treated sooner than I would have been under normal protocols,” he reflected. Monahan explained that earlier detection enabled him to return to active service and contribute in significant roles, including establishing training for Ukrainian forces and coordinating NATO air operations following the Ukraine crisis.
Professor Martin Kaiser, consultant haematologist at The Royal Marsden and professor in molecular haematology at ICR London, expressed optimism on the continued evolution of myeloma care, highlighting how the precision imaging offered by whole-body MRI is “revolutionising” patient management. As research uncovers more about how the disease operates throughout the body, the MRI’s role in enabling tailored treatment will likely grow, he predicts.
Currently, approximately 6,200 people are diagnosed with myeloma each year in the United Kingdom. With an estimated 33,000 individuals living with the condition, there is a strong need for better ways of monitoring the cancer and providing the most effective interventions as quickly as possible.
While more studies will be needed to confirm the technique’s widespread benefits, this innovation marks a promising stride toward enhancing the quality of life and outlook for thousands living with myeloma in the UK and beyond. Experts and patient advocates alike are hopeful that continued progress in cancer diagnostics will pave the way for even better outcomes in the future.