Re: cytogenetics blood test

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I've never heard of biopsy material containing too much blood to be

analyzed. Usually it's the opposite, there isn't enough cells to be

cultured.

Normally when they refer to a " cytogenetics test " it's a test that's

done on cells they culture from a bone marrow biopsy or a bone marrow

aspiration. I suspect that the " cytogenetics blood test " you are

referring to, is a PCR test which can be done on peripheral blood

(blood taken from your vein).

If you've never had a cytogenetic test done with a bone marrow

biopsy/aspiration, I would think that it would be good to have at

least an initial report done. It would give you a clear picture of

what's going on in your marrow, that you just can't get from a PCR or

any other test for that matter.

A cytogenetic test done from marrow will tell you if you have other

translocations besides the Philadelphia chromosome, it'll also tell

you what state your marrow is in (hypercellular or normocellular) and

it'll also give you an accurate blast count which will help determine

what phase of CML you're in.

A PCR test is important but will only tell you how many bcr/abl

transcripts they found. This will be important to track over time

because it will show you how you're responding to treatment and in

time, will show you if you've achieved the 3 log reduction that we

all aim for.

Unfortunately, some people have had terrible pain with biopsies. It

seems that the doctor's experience plays a vital role in the amount of

pain the patient will feel. The one's I've had, have all been done

with no sedation or pain killers and were not bad at all......I would

have 10 of them before I'd have another baby If your doctor isn't

very experienced in doing them, perhaps you could ask for another one

that is more experienced? The other option would be to take some form

of sedation (there's a myriad of choices out there, from laced lolly

pops to IV drips to simple pills).

Take care for now,

Tracey

dx Jan 2002

>

> I just came from my oncologist. He informed me that an aspect of my

> bone marrow biopsy contained too much blood for analysis. I have two

> choices: another biopsy or a cytogenetics blood test. I know the

blood

> test is a simple blood draw and I certainly don't want to have

another

> bone biopsy. I was totally unprepared for the pain of it all (but

now

> I know) Is anyone familiar with thsi cytogenetice blood test?

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sheila,

I'm sorry you had such a terrible biopsy this time around. I

personally feel that the height and the strength of the doctor makes

a big difference in the biopsy experience.

My doctor will be retiring soon and I've already told him that when

he finds me a new one, I insist that he find me a tall

man......preferably one that's easy on the eyes

Seriously though, they need to have some amount of height in order

to get the leverage they need and obviously they need to have some

amount of strength too because they are pushing a needle through a

thick bone which does require stregth.

My preference would be a 6'3 " , 220 lb blond, clean shaved, blue

eyed.....oh I digress....

Tracey

[Guest guest]

Hi Dorothy,

My doctor happens to be very tall and I've mentioned to him that

when he retires, I want him to find me another tall doctor to

replace him. He knew right away why (and it wasn't because I'm

attracted to tall men). He did reassure me though that his shorter

colleagues do infarct lower the table when they do the biopsies so I

would be fine with either a tall one or a short one. I guess the

point I was trying to make wasn't so much about the height of the

doctor but the leverage they get with that height.....whether they

get the height naturally from mother nature or they get it from

stepping on a stool or they just lower the tables, it seems pretty

obvious that the leverage does make a difference.

Take care,

Tracey

-- In , Dorothy Emery <doemery@...> wrote:

>

> Hi ,

>

> Interesting--at MDACC they use short tables for the bone marrow

> biopsies. I've never thought of this before but I think you have

a

> point. But I think the solution is to lower the tables, not find

tall

> doctors. My first BMB done locally was done on the regular

doctor's

> table which is quite a bit higher than the ones they use just for

> biopsies at mdacc and the first was the only one I've had that was

a

> problem.

>

> Best wishes,

> Dorothy

>

> Cogan wrote:

>

> > At 09:14 PM 4/9/06 -0700, you wrote:

> >

> > >Its sad that you feel that the Dr. Has to be a " Tall Man " for

that says

> > >little about the more than qualified women who perform this

duty daily.

> > >News Flash, it's not about leverage for I'm still young with

young

> > strong

> > >bones it's a matter of selection of the proper location and not

the

> > >stature or gender of the person. It's sad but you may have

experienced

> > >some bad moments with shorter women but i assure you, that was

an

> > anomaly

> > >and not the norm. Give all doctors a chance for if you're face

with an

> > >emergency (like I believe we have but forget sometimes) would

it matter

> > >who your doctor is or that he/she can assist you? Hmmm Take a

good

> > look at

> > >yourself...

> >

> >

> > I'm sorry....but I disagree with your comments.

> > I have very tough bones (measured at 121% of normal density).

When Dr.

> > Druker, who is tall, does my bmb, he sweats.......but at least

he has

> > good

> > leverage for the procedure.

> > Dr. Mauro did my bmb once.....he is much shorten and he had a

very tough

> > time. I just recently heard from a patient of his that he now

uses a

> > stool.......to give himself better leverage!!!!

> > This is simple physics..........if you are tall, you can keep a

straight

> > elbow and have more strength.

> > If you are shorter and have to bend your elbow, you will not be

as

> > strong.....

> >

> > OH.........and it doesn't matter if the doc is a male or female,

but it

> > helps to be 'athletic'..... : )

> >

> > C.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>