Home         Forums  

Go Back   Marrowforums > Bone Marrow Failure Diseases > MDS
Register FAQ Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

MDS Myelodysplastic syndromes

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
  #1  
Old Mon Jul 14, 2014, 05:50 AM
alyasa alyasa is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Polokwane, South Africa
Posts: 19
2nd opinion for MDS diagnosis - 2nd sample

Is a second opinion on an MDS diagnosis required? And should it be based on a seperately drawn bown marrow biopsy (BMB). After 3 months of searching for a solution, a BMB (Bone Marrow Biopsy) finally revealed MDS RAEB 2.

The issue is whether a second sample is required? We received a second opinion on the results obtained from the BMB. The haematologist said the sample was good. And there was no need for a second sample to be drawn.

All blood results subsequently have been consistent with an MDS diagnosis.

Much obliged and apologies for the numerous posts of (innane) questions.
__________________
Alyasa, father aged 72, dx July 2014 RAEB-2, (10.5% blasts) on Vidaza, low WBC (<1)
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old Mon Jul 14, 2014, 03:43 PM
Whizbang Whizbang is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 299
I insisted on a second BMB/BMA analysis from my original Oncologist...

Both came back within a close range at least...

1st showed 5.5% blasts, 2nd showed 3% blasts, but both had the same chromosomal disorders... None good...

My BMT/SCT doctor reviewed all of the results prior to transplant, even thought my 3rd BMB/BMA came back 100% clean after two rounds of Dacogen...

It is normal to question results, and you always should (but in a way that doesn't alienate your doctor)... My original Hemo was happy to give me a second BMB/BMA, he just said: "no one actually asks for one of these voluntarily..." The two were probably 6-7 weeks apart...

Hope this helps...
__________________
Married, father of three daughters; now 46; diagnosed w/ Major form MDS 6/18/2013; had low counts across the board; Multiple chromosome abnormalities; Finished 2nd round Dacogen 9/13; SCT - Oct. 31, 2013; Sibling match 10/10 ; 5.5% blasts down to 3%, now 1% (post BMT)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old Mon Jul 14, 2014, 04:20 PM
bailie bailie is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: McMinnville,OR
Posts: 825
I had two BMBs within a week of my diagnosis. Both had very similar results and lots of fun.
__________________
age 70, dx RAEB-2 on 11-26-2013 w/11% blasts. 8 cycles Vidaza 3w/Revlimid. SCT 8/15/2014, relapsed@Day+210 (AML). Now(SCT-Day+1005). Prepping w/ 10 days Dacogen for DLI on 6/9/2017.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old Mon Jul 14, 2014, 04:28 PM
Hopeful Hopeful is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: California, USA
Posts: 769
Quote:
Originally Posted by alyasa View Post
Is a second opinion on an MDS diagnosis required? And should it be based on a seperately drawn bown marrow biopsy (BMB). After 3 months of searching for a solution, a BMB (Bone Marrow Biopsy) finally revealed MDS RAEB 2.

The issue is whether a second sample is required? We received a second opinion on the results obtained from the BMB. The haematologist said the sample was good. And there was no need for a second sample to be drawn.

All blood results subsequently have been consistent with an MDS diagnosis.

Much obliged and apologies for the numerous posts of (innane) questions.
I don't think a second sample is required if the first was good and the diagnosis was obvious. Getting a second hematologist to look at the slides was a good idea.

Was the 3 month delay before or after the BMB? If it took 3 months to make a diagnosis *after* the BMB, then a second sample would be warranted.
__________________
58 yo female, dx 9/08, AA/hypo-MDS, subclinical PNH, ATG/CsA 12/08, partial response. small trisomy 6 clone, low-dose cyclosporine dependent
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old Mon Jul 14, 2014, 06:19 PM
rar rar is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: colorado
Posts: 215
Nothing is required, but a second opinion is highly desirable. My first diagnosis was done by an oncologist who typically a dozen patients a year. His BMB was done with a hand auger. I sought opinions from 2 BMT transplant hospitals. They said the specimens were poorly prepared but agreed with the conclusion. MDS is not hard to diagnose - %blasts, WBC platelets and hemocrit. If blood counts in marrow and peripheral blood agree, and any outlying conditions eliminated, then the doctor assesses severity and treatment opinions. I have always received appointments with in a week. Again see doctors from world class doctors who see more than 100 per year.

In the past 3 months I have had 5 BMB's with one two weeks from now.

Medicare pays for second opinions and encourages them. 6 years I had chest pain while exercising and over time received about as many misdiagnoses. The last one told me I had a 95% blockage in my LAD. A stent fixed it. I went to my VA doctor with my MDS and was told the waiting list for transplants was so long that I would die before I could be treated.

You are your best advocate.

Ray
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old Tue Jul 15, 2014, 04:56 AM
alyasa alyasa is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Polokwane, South Africa
Posts: 19
Useful as always

@rar - two haematologists reviewed the sample. Only issue was the slight (0.5) assessment on blasts.
@Hopeful - apologies for lack of clarity. After three months of misdiagnosis the BMB showed what was going on.

We visit a specialist practice that deals with MDS regularly. The doctors are good and knowledgeable, but very busy. So we will gently engage them, while checking and working with the wonderful people on this forum...

Thanks so much!
__________________
Alyasa, father aged 72, dx July 2014 RAEB-2, (10.5% blasts) on Vidaza, low WBC (<1)
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old Tue Jul 15, 2014, 08:59 PM
usaf1125 usaf1125 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Stoughton, MA
Posts: 66
2nd opinion

If it makes you feel better, than by all means get a second.
__________________
82 yr. old male. Diagnosed in 2003. Started Blood infusion 1/5/2004, average of 2 units every 2 weeks. Inject Procrit weekly 40,000 ML. I have had 344 units of PRC. E Mail leojean@comcast.net
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old Sat Jul 19, 2014, 11:30 AM
kyis kyis is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Marin, California
Posts: 56
The blast count of 10.5 is a pretty significant indicator of bone marrow failure. I've had multiple 2nd opinions, but the mds was never the question, it was and still is what treatment(s) and when. There is a lot of other info in bmb. Maybe even having a 2nd opinion based on report and new blood test maybe be enough for another dr. to easily confirm, plus a 2nd opinion might be nice to confirm proper treatment.
__________________
Male 56, MDS 2008, pre SCT Hypocellular 5-30%, Normal Cytogenetics. WBC 500, anc 45, Blasts 15%, Platelets 45, HGB 7, RBCC 1.71, HCT 20.5, MCV 120. Became Transfusion dependent 3/2016. 5 cycles VIdaza started 3/14/16 which reduced Blast counts. . Marrow Transplant 9/1/16, Hereditary MDS/AML.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old Mon Aug 11, 2014, 02:44 AM
usaf1125 usaf1125 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Stoughton, MA
Posts: 66
there are no inane questions, only inane answers.
__________________
82 yr. old male. Diagnosed in 2003. Started Blood infusion 1/5/2004, average of 2 units every 2 weeks. Inject Procrit weekly 40,000 ML. I have had 344 units of PRC. E Mail leojean@comcast.net
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old Mon Aug 11, 2014, 02:46 AM
usaf1125 usaf1125 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Stoughton, MA
Posts: 66
MDS

The only treatment I have is 40,000 units of PROCRIT once a week. And 2 units of PRBC every couple of weeks.
__________________
82 yr. old male. Diagnosed in 2003. Started Blood infusion 1/5/2004, average of 2 units every 2 weeks. Inject Procrit weekly 40,000 ML. I have had 344 units of PRC. E Mail leojean@comcast.net
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
2nd Opinion and New Results Data MDS 26 Thu Mar 30, 2017 09:25 AM
Wrong Diagnosis - GET A SECOND OPINION C&C MDS 5 Wed Dec 2, 2015 12:04 PM
MDS Diagnosis - Odd Experience steve_ky MDS 26 Fri Oct 3, 2014 12:17 PM
2nd Opinion SAA Mom Pediatrics 8 Tue Aug 6, 2013 07:40 PM
Looking for help for a 2nd opinion in Southern California PeppersMommy MDS 1 Thu Jun 28, 2012 05:50 PM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:05 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Forum sites may contain non-authoritative and unverified information.
Medical decisions should be made in consultation with qualified medical professionals.
Site contents exclusive of member posts Copyright © 2006-2020 Marrowforums.org