Clarification on 3-log reduction terminology

[Guest guest]

Hi --

My husband, , goes in for his first PCR test this Friday, so we are

trying to get everything straight in our heads, in terms of terminology,

what to expect, etc! I think we pretty much understand it all (thanks to you

and many others on this forum!).....but when we read this part of one of

your recent emails, we had a question. You said:

" The ultimate goal in CML is to achieve a " 3 log reduction " which is a 1000

fold decrease in cancer cells. "

When you say a " 1000 fold decrease in cancer cells " , does that mean it will

be different for everyone? Meaning, his hope is to achieve a 1000-fold

decrease from he was first diagnosed at? For example, wont have started

his CML journey with a different " amount " of cancer cells than others, so

that his 3-log reduction will be specific and unique to him?

I feel like I am not making sense! Sorry--worked an 12-hour day today!!

But--do you understand my question?

Thanks as always!

>From: " Tracey " <traceyincanada@...>

>Reply-

>

>Subject: [ ] Re: CML Remission ?

>Date: Fri, 09 Feb 2007 00:58:56 -0000

>

>Hi Efrem,

>

>There really isn't such a thing in CML as " remission " . The doctors

>like to refer to it as a " response " .

>

>The first level of response is a " haematological response " . This is

>when your blood counts return to normal. Most people will achieve

>this in a month but it's not unusual to see it take up to 3 months.

>

>The second level of response is a " cytogenetic response " . This is

>when the number of Philadelphia chromosomes is reduced. If the

>number of ph+ cells is above 35% but below 95% it is considered a

>cytogenetic response. If the number of ph+ cells is between 5% and

>35% then it is considered a major cytogenetic response (MCR). If the

>number of ph+ cells is 0% it is considered a complete cytogenetic

>response (CCR). CCR usually happens within 6 months but some have

>seen it as early as 3 months and others have taken a year or more.

>

>The ultimate goal in CML is to achieve a " 3 log reduction " which is a

>1000 fold decrease in cancer cells. This is measured using a PCR

>test and can take a year or more to achieve. Some patients do even

>better than this but with a 3 log reduction, the chances of relapse

>are infinitesimal so this is the milestone you want to reach.

>Anything more than this is just gravy.

>

>Current information indicates that we'll have to remain on Gleevec

>for the rest of our lives. Those who have stopped taking it, have

>almost all relapsed and some even became resistant when trying to

>restart it.

>

>Take care,

>Tracey

>

>

>

>--- In , " efrem_fischer " <efrem_fischer@...>

>wrote:

> >

> > Has anyone here, with CML, gone into remission?

> > If so, how long did it take, from the time you started the Gleevec?

> >

>

>

_________________________________________________________________

Turn searches into helpful donations. Make your search count.

http://click4thecause.live.com/search/charity/default.aspx?source=hmemtagline_do\

nation & FORM=WLMTAG