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PCR testing - again!

Hello everyone!

I was dx in September this year and am just about to start having PCR tests. And I just dont understand them! Please can you help?

I've read Anjana's article and that has answered some questions for me but I still have more...

1. I know the test will determine one leukaemic cell in many thousands of cells. But is this one leukaemic cell in many thousands of white cells - or in many thousands of any type of blood cell - red, white, the lot?

2. I have got to grips with what a 'log drop' is - but how is it calculated? I know I had a PCR done at diagnosis which will form the baseline for calculating any log drop, but I dont know what it was.

3. Finally - my consultant says to stop worrying because the results will be good - but how can he be so sure of that when all he has had to go on so far is my routine blood tests on attending clinic, and the speed and total reduction in white cells since September? It sounds like i'm a real doubting Thomas - I'm not, I trust him hugely and its obvious he knows a lot about leukaemia and has been working in the field for years - but i just never think of everything I need to ask when I'm sat in clinic. And i'm a worrier too which doesnt help!

Thank you for your help.

Janet

Hello Janet

There is a great deal to understand with regard to testing etc. Still after 5 years on this journey I have huge gaps in my knowledge. One tip I was given was to write down all my questions prior to clinic appointments. Now I appear with my note book as a routine, and my consultant is fine with this, in fact always asks where the questions are if I don't bring the book out!

I am sure others will chip in with answers about the specifics of testing, and how to calculate the log drop. Its something I can't manage.
Good luck with the PCR results
pennie

Hi Janet,

My best advice to you is to make sure that you get a copy of all your test results. All of them, including those when you were first diagnosed. Once you have them in front of you, it is easy to compare them and understand them. You don't need to know the intricacies of how a PCR test works or what units it reports in. What you want to know is the trend.

Also, if there is something that you don't understand about the test results, you will have it right in front of you when you question your doctor about it.

You are coming up to your 3 month anniversary and you should be able to see a trend.

Zavie

Zavie Miller (age 68)
67 Shoreham Avenue
Ottawa, Canada, dxd AUG/99
INF OCT/99 to FEB/00, CHF
No meds FEB/00 to JAN/01
Gleevec since MAR/27/01 (400 mg)
CCR SEP/01. #102 in Zero Club
PCRU 5/02 at RVH (suspicious)
2.8 log reduction Sep/05
3.0 log reduction Jan/06
> 4 log reduction Nov/06

hi janet, the only cells that are affected by the ph chromosome is the white cell line
pcr are very sensitive molecular tests and replace cytogenetics/FISH etc when your disease will have reached such low levels that a more efficient way to measure the levels of white cells with the abnormality is needed.
we all worry so do not apologise for that. i am sure your doctor will answer your questions and as you learn more he/she will be able to explain in more detail.
best wishes,
sandy C ;o)

Thank you all for your comments - it does help knowing there are other people out there who are listening!
Janet