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PCR - Marrow vs peripheral blood

My wife had her three monthly check today, amongst other things was told result of last pcr done on peripheral blood - pcr is undectable. This was same as result for pcr on bone marrow in March 2008.
We discussed with the dr the pros and cons of doing pcr on peripheral blood vs marrow. It seems that the jury is out on this at present.
What's happening at other centres? Are people still getting regular bone marrow checks when a major molecular response has been acheived?

It would be so much less invasive if pcr was done on blood only, but some still feel happier knowing the bone marrow check is being done.

Any comments?

Paul

Hi Paul
I understand what you mean, since transferring to Dasatinib from Glivec, I have not endured a marrow examination, so last visit to Hammersmith, I queried this and I was told, that as at long last my counts are low, they are so low that they would be undetectable by marrow examination, and molecular examination is the only way that the disease can be spooted and values calculated. After just over 12 years, I am happy at this, also very happy at not having a very large needle shoved into my nether regions.
Hope this answers your queries.
Have fun and keep smiling
Keith

Hi Paul,
I'm from Australia so I don't know if we do it different over here. I was dx with cml in June 2005. I have been on Glivec since then and I am in total remission. There is no sign of the cml. I have a bmb every six months.
I think each doctor has his own way do doing things. I saw a different specialist after my last bmb because my usually one was on holidays. He said he doesn't think I need a bmb every six months because I'm in full remission but he wants me to have a pcr blood test every 3 months. I probably will still have to have a bmb once a year though.
I will have to see what my proper specialist has to say when I see him next year. I won't miss having that needle stuck in me every 6 months.
Hope your wife keeps well.

Debbie

Hi Paul,
I asked this very question at the recent seminar as I know there is mixed feeling amongst some doctors. The eminent consultants there were of the opinion that once the pcr reaches a certain level that BMB's were not necessary at they only look at a very limited amount of cells. I am glad because at Xmas it will be 2 years since my last BMB. The Dr in charge of the lab at the Hammersmith also gave a talk which was highly enlightning.She also said that the The Hammersmith was the world standard for PCr's We look forward to the report from Sandie about the meeing.
Regards

Steven

My consultant at barts has dropped the levels to every 18 months or longer (if i make a long enough face at the metion of biopsy). I have been in cyto and molec remission for 6 years or so. I still have blood tests every 3 months and that keeps me and him content.
vicki