Gator & H (GA)
Very Active Member
F [H's brother] got a needle aspirate from his spleen or somewhere around his spleen. The cells were "abnormal" which doesn't say much as I understand since spleen cells can typically be abnormal. Only after we asked them if stains or PCR testing on the sample would be any help they said, "yea we can send the sample out for stains then we would KNOW if it is cancer or not." Well duh!!! Uggg. They did not seem to really know/respond to the PCR testing thing.
Question:
When are stains and or PCR testing on a needle aspirated sample warranted? Should stains be done before PCR testing is done? Or should one just have PCR testing done on the sample and not even worry about the stains? I guess what I'm asking is at an individual level, at what point are stains and PCR testing warranted on an oncology sample?
As H's other brother S was killed by a misdiagnosed positive needle aspirate [at this same institution F is at currently] my faith in needle aspirates is already ultra-low. :-x I posted in the Yahoo lymphoma group too. But I've seen a few people around here that really knew their oncology stuff. :smile:
Any other input is welcome. Thank you for your replies/input/opinions.
Question:
When are stains and or PCR testing on a needle aspirated sample warranted? Should stains be done before PCR testing is done? Or should one just have PCR testing done on the sample and not even worry about the stains? I guess what I'm asking is at an individual level, at what point are stains and PCR testing warranted on an oncology sample?
As H's other brother S was killed by a misdiagnosed positive needle aspirate [at this same institution F is at currently] my faith in needle aspirates is already ultra-low. :-x I posted in the Yahoo lymphoma group too. But I've seen a few people around here that really knew their oncology stuff. :smile:
Any other input is welcome. Thank you for your replies/input/opinions.