Beta 2 Microglobulin (B2M) Tumor Marker Test

What is a beta-2 microglobulin tumour marker test?

A beta-2 microglobulin tumour marker test measures the amount of a protein called beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) in your body fluids. The test usually uses a sample of your blood. It may also be done using urine (pee) or in rare cases cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

B2M is a type of tumour marker. Tumor markers are substances that are often made by cancer cells or by normal cells in response to cancer in the body. B2M is found in most of the cells in your body. Normally, you have only small amounts of B2M in your blood and urine. High levels of B2M in body fluids are often caused by these blood and bone marrow cancers:

Multiple myeloma

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)

Certain types of lymphoma

A beta-2 microglobulin tumour marker test can't diagnose cancer or any other condition. That's because so many conditions can cause high levels of B2M. But if you've already been diagnosed with one of these blood and bone marrow cancers, a B2M test can provide important information about your cancer including:

How much cancer you have in your body and how fast it's growing

How your cancer may behave in the future

How much your treatment is helping

This information can help you and your healthcare provider plan your care.

Other names: total beta-2 microglobulin, β2-microglobulin, B2M, B2MG, thymotaxin

What do the results mean?

If your B2M levels were measured to learn about your cancer:

The higher your B2M levels, the more cancer you have in your body. Higher levels are linked to cancers that tend to grow faster./li>

If you have multiple myeloma, higher levels of B2M are linked with kidney problems.

If your B2M levels were measured to check how well your treatment is working, your provider may look at several test results over time to look for a trend:

Increasing B2M levels may mean your treatment is not working.

Decreasing B2M levels may mean your treatment is working.

B2M levels that don't change may mean that your disease is stable and hasn't gotten better or worse.

If you have questions about your test results, talk with your provider.

Inputs Courtesy: ENT Specialist Doctor with 41 years of experience. He can be reached only by WhatsApp messages at 9243301223.

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