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another doubt

well, my last pcr test was 0.04% after a 6% result in august (i changed drugs after that). that's a really nice decline, but now i'm worrying about one thing: my sample was taken in january/05 but in the test the date of the sample is january/08 (the same day they said they received the sample). i had one problem with another lab sometime ago (the result was much lower and then i had a test from another lab one month later and it was 1 log higher, than i retest in this same lab and the result was declining, etc. etc.). is it retest a good thing to do or i'm just overeacted? thanks in advance

Hi Lucas... if the sample had been degraded because of time taken to test it then the lab would not have been able to generate much of a result. I understand why you might worry about his but remember you should really only rely on at least 2 - 3 pcr results- nevertheless this last result shows a definite improvement in the number of zeros - you should maybe ask for the lab result detail and ask you doctor how many control genes were testable in that particular sample- to generate that number of 0's the normal (ABL1?) gene would have been present in significant amounts.

Set your mind at rest and ask your doctor.

Sandy

thank you, sandy. i spoke with the lab and my doctors and both told me to retest. it's a shame i have to pass throught this situation again - second time my sample get late to the lab. there was around 160.000 samples of the control gene, but they said that probably the bcr-abl was degradated and probably my pcr number is higher. i know i'm in a good situation now - CCYR - but i want to know where i am. the other time this thing happened they thought i was losing response rapidly and i had many tests to found out what was happenning. it was so stressful. It's kind of sad to say this, but i'm getting used to have this kind of problem in my treatment, this is the reason i'm not so worried and not stressed, i'm just frustated and with anger because i lost the chance to have my sample analysed by the best lab in my country (i'll have another chance in 3 months, but i think i'll decline, because of those shipping problems). I have wonderful doctors but the rest (labs, nurses, etc) are under avarage. i know i'll get to mmr in some point, just don't know when. cheers.

Hi Lucas... I am not sure if that is correct but it is too technical for me to comment as a lay person. I had understood that the reason why samples do not generate accurate results is because the RNA in the sample has degraded (the cells have started to die off before the sample is tested) and there is not enough RNA present to tests... However in your case there were 160,000 copies of the control gene so the RNA should have been enough to generate a %.

I understand why you are feeling angry and frustrated. It is extremely stressful when you cannot be sure of the validity of tests. Is there a way of making sure the courier is aware of the urgency of getting you sample to the lab? 36 hrs is usually thought to be the cut off point.

Yes... you are in a good place and I am sure you will be at MMR next time (if you are not there already!).

Keep faith,
Sandy

hi sandy. as far i know, the problem is the degradation of the bcr-abl, that is much faster than the control gene, but i'm not sure. i'm not hopeless. it was just another little upset. i'm sure i'll do good in long term. my problem know is find what is going on with my thyroid. i'll see an endocrinologist next week. hope i do not need a surgery. thanks again. you're so sweet :)