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PCR Help

Hi All

Hope you are all well, I am  bit nervous as i get my 2nd PCR result on Thursday and was wondering what i should be looking for. I only have to see my consultant every 3 months so have not seen him since August so i havn't really been thinking about the whole CML saga. However, now i'm about to get my next PCR i'm really nervous.

My question is what should i be expecting to see. my results so far are

Feb 2011- 96% (dx)

May 2011- 36%

I know that any downward trend is good but is there a minimum i should be looking for i mean within 3 months my pcr had dropped by 60% which i was really happy with, but i know that it will start to slow down but i don't know what to expect should i now be at 20% or lower/higher please help. I do understand that the result is from 3 months ago.

Sorry if i sound a bit thick but i don't know what is a good result.

Thanks in advance

Naomii x

Hi Naomii,

First point (and I think you have already said this) your pcr's are showing you have a good response so far.

Your May pcr result showed an 'optimal response' of approx. 60% reduction in bcr/abl transcripts from the % at diagnosis and within 3 months- this is a MCyr or Major Cytogenetic Response. i.e excellent.

When you say you are not sure what to expect- well all I can say is that no one knows what to expect- it could be that you will see a further drop of say 10% or a complete CCyR (1.5% or less)...... no one can tell you what to expect. But given your good response I think you can expect good news. But even if the next % reduction is less than 20% (which from you post is what you might be thinking is reasonable to expect) you should  be reassured as long as the trend is downward. 

I wish I could give you precise figures but I can't.. no one can predicet that. 

What I can say is... we have all been in the same situation as you are now- and I am still nervous whan I walk into the consultants office every 6 months- even after 5 years of PCR negative results.

Best wishes,

Sandy

 

 

 

Thank you Sandy very reassuring as always will let you know how i get on.

Take care

Naomii x