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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.

10-05-2009, 11:11 AM	#9
Lori R Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Evergreen, Colorado Posts: 454	Re: blood test that detects cancer? 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. __________________ 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)