RE: PCR TEST-ZAVIE & GROUP

[Guest guest]

Hi Zavie,

Thank you for your response. Yes 111 is my number!

I do recall reading a lot about the plan to standardize the testing but

For now I cannot help but wonder how many of us could actually have false

negatives. I am not trying to rain on anyone's parade - I have a very

positive attitude even now with what could be a possible threat?

What I am thinking is our cancer center here in Fl uses a lab that

Is owned by physicians- I forget the name right now.

My Onc sends my BMBA to Genzyme Genetics

My regular lab is Lab Corp.

If I were a Doctor what results would I rely on? Would it be right to assume

a false positive? That doesn't make sense. Does it? Why would it detect

something that isn't there?

A false negative would seem more likely due to the error margin. Do you

agree?

Are you concerned about your different results?

How high would the numbers need to be where it would be considered a loss of

PCRU?

Sorry for so many questions but as much as I feel I know there's always more

I want to know.

Any ones help in understanding this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

-

Tampa Fl

Message: 9

Date: Wed, 16 Mar 2005 21:15:53 -0500

From: " Zavie " <zmiller@...>

Subject: RE: R & the rest of the group

Hi ,

I have the same dilemma. It appears to be a total crapshoot when it comes to

PCR testing. I know that Dr. Hochhaus' lab in Mannheim does the most

sensitive and most consistent PCR testing. There is an international effort

underway to standardize PCR testing, but progress is slow.

From my own personal experience ... A PCR test done at the Royal

Hospital in Montreal was PCRU while a PCR test done in Mannheim was 0.55.

How far apart can you get.

Novartis Canada is now doing free PCR testing for all patients who request

it. There are 7 labs (independent) across Canada doing the testing and they

are standardized according to Novartis' guidelines. I was 0.021 on November

25, 2004 and just had a blood draw last week. It will be interesting to see

the results.

My local haematologist thinks it is safe to go a year (even longer) without

a BMB as long as you are at Zero.

Zavie

is number 111 in the Zero Club

<snip>

My question is how the heck do we know which darn lab has accurate results?

And is it really safe to go a whole year without a BMB? I dunno??? As soon

as I get my BMBA results I will post it all here so we can all try to figure

out what's going on. Thanks

ez

Tampa Fl

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