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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

10-04-2009, 07:56 AM	#4
Lori R Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Evergreen, Colorado Posts: 454	Re: blood test that detects cancer? 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 __________________ 2007 Oct - Diagnosed - Stage IV 5 c.m. IDC - Left Side er/pr- Her2+++ Node + 2/14 - Single Liver Met Double Mastectomy Nov - Begin T+H 2008 Feb-Complete 6 cycles- T&H- NED March - Continue - Herceptin Only April - Rads for 6 weeks 2009 Continue Herceptin - Continue NED April - Recurrance- 3 cm. Liver Met May - Cryosurgery June - November - Abraxane + Herceptin Aug - PET/CT - CTC = 0 Back to NED 2010 January - Continue NED July - Recurrance - 3 cm Liver Met CTC=1 August - Cryosurgery #2 August - November Navelbine November - Back to NED - End Navelbine 2011 Feb - Recur - 4 cm Liver Met - Same Left Lobe March Surgery it is -Couldn't get a clean margin July - Confirmed continued liver involvement August - Begin Herceptin + Tykerb October - Mixed results from H+T Add Abraxane + H + T - Nov - April 2012 January PET Scan - It's working!! April - Back to NED July - Recurrance August - Begin TDM-1 Trial (Taxol + TDM-1)