blood test that detects cancer?

Sherryg683 · 10-02-2009, 08:45 PM

When I saw my oncologist today, I was talking to him about scans and all. And he brought up the subject of me taking this blood test that detects cancer that is too small to be seen by scans. He said it was fairly new and that they had been using it on patients he felt would be interested in it. He said all it takes was a blood test. He then said he was sure my number would come out 0 and I wouldn't have to worry about it. He wasn't talking about the tumor marker blood tests that some on the board take. He gave me the name of the test and of course I didn't write it down and forgot. I am not sure I want to go down this road right now because I just don't want to ask for trouble, I just had my scans done a couple of months ago. But may want to have this done before my scans. Do any of you know what he may be talking about? I will call his office on Monday to get the name so I can research it but of course I wish I would have written it down now...sherryg683

Mary Anne in TX · 10-03-2009, 02:14 AM

Maybe it is the CTC (circulating tumor cells) Test which I took. It is new and I did get a 0. ma

Sherryg683 · 10-03-2009, 07:56 AM

I'm pretty sure that is it...tks..now I can research it...sherry

Lori R · 10-04-2009, 07:56 AM

Sherry,
I finally talked my Dr. into giving me the "Cell Search" test. I do not register on any of the more standard tests and am looking for a way to predict what might be happening prior to seeing things on the PET/CT.

I wanted the test at the time when my recurrance was identified but only became demanding after I had been through the cryosurgery and a couple of rounds of Abraxane. So not certain how to process my score.

I was a little frustrated as the test was not very expensive. It pretty much swapped out price wise for the other tests. I still don't understand the reluctance of my Onc. It sounds like your Dr. is more supportive.

But...to your point....do you really want the test as it could generate unnecessary concerns.

But....the good news (if I can count on the results which is not 100% certain for now)...I scored a 0.

The office had to send the blood sample to a special lab and had to take the sample on say a Wednesday/Thursday to allow time for it to get to the lab and have the test run immediately.

I'll post more about this test and how accurate the results are for me. Hopefully, this isn't another test that my cancer manages to outsmart.

Lori

Mary Anne in TX · 10-04-2009, 08:46 AM

I believe the lab is in Utah and that they are the only ones certified to do the results. My cost was a couple of thousand dollars.
I don't think there is such a critter as a "for sure" predictor of cancer cells present, but from what I read and talked to others about, it was a good thing for me in my situation. Someone needed to do it, I thought, and it gave me peace of mind.
Hopefully it will go on the recommended list soon!
ma

suzan w · 10-04-2009, 11:52 AM

WHY are all these tests SO expensive??? I just got the co-pay for the BRCA 1 and 2...which is more $$ than I can spend right now (as cancer has made me broke!), but the good news was my insurance co. picked up 80% of the cost for that test (which was close to $4000.00). And the test was positive, leading me to more treatment that I never thought I would need...and the bills for that have yet to start coming in. And now this test...
Bottom line is that ALL these tests...BRCA, CTC, Oncotype etc. etc...are outrageously expensive, many not covered by insurance...and have huge impacts on the types of treatments we choose. And the types of treatments that we choose have huge impacts on our survival and quality of life...I know I am preaching to the choir but sometimes it makes me so mad I could just SCREEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMM!!! xo Suzan

SuzEQ · 10-04-2009, 12:15 PM

My understanding of testing for CTCs is that it is not as expensive or risky for the patient as traditional types of surveillance such as CT and PET. There is no radiation, no dye, no machines for patients to sit in (MRI), simply drawing blood. Even better, this test can be used to detect response to a new chemo in Stage IV patients within appr. 3 weeks of starting therapy. If the CTCs go down with a new treatment, great since the therapy is working, if up, change treatments. Quick, easy for the patient, and non-invasive. I'm curious if they can use this on an annual basis to be sure that those with NED are truly NED and if not, can then provide a workup. This seems a little better than tumor markers but maybe not as routinely accepted at this point or perhaps it is simply not accurate in this group. If anyone has discussed this with their oncologists, I would be interested to see what they say.

Lien · 10-04-2009, 01:55 PM

Dear Suzan,

I'm so sorry to hear that cancer made you broke. I hope the new healthcare system in the US will make things better for you. If not, you might consider moving to the Netherlands. I pay 3000 euro's a year for Health Insurance for my family (Husband, me, 2 kids) and then virtually everything is covered. There's a 150 euro co-pay a year. That's all.

Love

Jacqueline

Lori R · 10-05-2009, 11:11 AM

Mary Anne,
Now I am curious....I ASSUMED my Onc was reluctant to give me the CTC test because of expense. (she is very frugal) After talking her into it, The phamplet they provided was using something called "Cell Search" technology. I "thought" I saw the test on my Qwest Labs bill. Thus, I was surprised/ frustrated when I saw what appeared to be reasonable costs.

Now.....I wonder if I am looking at the right invoice.

Hmmmm....was your test that was sent to Utah part of Qwest diagnostics? Or was it via a specialized testing firm?

Curious, as I want to follow up with the test again in 3 months along with a PET/CT to see if this is a good marker.

Also, if we can discern costs, we might empower others to feel confident about asking for the test if it is not as expensive as one might believe.

I'll do some additional research.

Shobha · 10-07-2009, 08:23 AM

Lori,

Thanks for doing some additional research. I am very interested in taking the CTC blood test and if it is reasonable, I will pay for it myself just to get the peace of mind. My onc does not believe in tumor marker tests and I doubt if I will be able to convince her regarding CTC.

Thanks.

Mary Anne in TX · 10-07-2009, 10:05 AM

No...it's only done by the one lab, I believe. Let me see. Ok, here's the information:
Genoptix Medical Laboratory
2110 Rutherford Rd.
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Client services - 800-755-1605

Brief description: CTCs are cells from epithelial tumors (breast, colon, lung, prostate, etc.) that are shed into the blood when these tumors metastasize. The test measures the number of cells shed in metastatic breast cancer. Go to genoptix.com for more.
Couldn't find the bill easily; but remember it being about 2300. or so.
ma