2 replies to this topic

[shweflen]

I was diagnosed on 10/24/2016.  The hematologist started me on 1000 mg / day hydrea while waiting for prior authorization and looking for co-pay assistance for gleevec.  When my wbc didn't react he increased the dose to 1500 mg / day.  I started taking 400 mg gleevec / day on 11/12/2016.  My wbc has dropped from a high of 72.5k to 5.8k on 11/21/2016.  My question is about the PCR results from a blood test / bone marrow biopsy on 10/20/2016.  The number reported on the lab report shown below doesn't look like any of the numbers I see discussed in the posts on this forum.  The hematologist said it didn't matter as long as the number trended down over time.  Any thoughts?

 

10/20/2016

  Bcr-abl Translocation, PCR, Blood/bone Marrow   Prior Result not given   Final       Source whole blood   Final     High Bcr-abl: Abl Ratio 81.622 _   Final       Interpretation     Final

 

[Trey]

The result says "Bcr-abl: Abl Ratio 81.622" which is probably a percentage.  So your PCR is 81.622%.  That is about average for diagnosis.  Your WBC at diagnosis was not as high as for most of us at diagnosis.  The PCR should drop significantly over the first couple months, and if it does the Gleevec is working.

 

Generally it is better to have FISH testing early during treatment since it is a better indicator of drug response.  Some Oncs do both FISH and PCR.  But PCRs alone are acceptable.

 

Overall your results are about as expected at diagnosis.  You were diagnosed fairly early, which is a good thing.

 

You might want to read this:

http://community.lls...w-updated-2014/

[shweflen]

Thank you Trey.  It is a comfort to know that there are knowledgeable people like you out there willing to help the rest of us.