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PCR tests

Does anyone know how many cells are looked at in a PCR test? And is it the same for all centres in the UK? What I'm really getting at is whether big centres like Hammersmith have better labs, and thus more finely-tuned testing techniques, than the smaller centres such as the one where I'm being treated.

Thanks for your input.

Janet

Hi Janet,

If I remember correctly, are you attending LLandough?

If so, I would have thought the pcr was done at UHW?

Up until fairly recently they only did qualitative pcr there, and not the quantitative, however, we had been told some time ago that the quantitative test was being developed there.

I am aware that in some parts of the uk where quantitative tests are not available, bloods are sent to the Hammersmith.

Have you been given a value for your pcr or only told that it's positive or negative?

I'm not sure what is happening in Cardiff as far as pcr's are concerned, hope to learn a little more at my wife's next appointment.

Best Wishes

Paul

Paul

Hi Janet,

Forgot to mention in last posting, there's a very good explanation of the pcr test in the FAQs /Glossary section of this site. It's been written by Anjana who as far as I know is a research chemist whose husband has cml.

Paul

Hi Paul

Yes I am being treated at Llandough, I've just been there this morning. They are now doing quantitative PCRs, via the labs at the University Hospital of Wales.

I am now 8 months post dx and was told this morning that I have a 1.9 log reduction on my starting value at diagnosis. The latest FISH has come back at 0%.

So that will do me nicely - I think!

Meanwhile I'm still not sure how sensitive the PCR test is at Cardiff. I came across international recommendations that the sensitivity should be 1/100,000 - whatever that means! - for CML PCR testing. I dont know whether Cardiff fulfils these criteria or not, and although I tried to ask this morning, I dont think I was asking the right questions - I certainly didnt get any answers I could understand! So I shall mull that over a bit more, maybe you will get more undestandable answers than me, you have a much more scientific background than I have!

Best of luck to Anne for her next appointment - who does she see now? Is Prof Burnett still there or has he gone completely now?

Regards, Janet