Cellularity Ranges%

[Andrya D]

I have been told some discrepant information regarding cellularity. On my first BMB, my cellularity was 35%, this was in Dec 2010. My next one, in July 2011, showed 40% cellularity.

My original doctor, that did the biopsy in Dec 2010, said that my cellularity was low. He said normal for a 30 year old should be about 70 (70% cells, 30% fat.)

My transplant doctors, the ones that performed the July 2011 biopsy, said that 35-40% was normal for a 30 year old.

Has anyone been told that their cellularity was normal when it was above 30%? Any insight?

[mausmish]

I recall reading somewhere that your cellularity should be roughly 100 minus your age. I just did a quick search and couldn't find the reference but here's another with slightly different info. It is age dependent.

http://www.pathologystudent.com/?p=645

[Andrya D]

Thanks! I'm going to ask my doctors again about it on Tuesday for my appointment, so I have a better understanding when I get my Day 100 results.

[Darice]

So what is the preferred direction for cellularity . . . higher or lower than the "norm" for your age? At 70, looks like hubby's cellularity should be around 30% . . . his is 40-50% . . . so he's higher than the norm . . . but is this good or bad?

[mausmish]

That is a good question for your husband's hematologist/oncologist. From general reading, it seems that cellularity is used as a diagnostic/classification tool and in that case, hypocellularity (too few) is separated from hypercellularity/normocelluarity as a group. However, I've read in at least one study that cellularity is not a prognostic indicator in MDS. Let me note that I'm a computer geek, not a medical person, so take anything I say with a grain of salt!

[Neil Cuadra]

Originally Posted by Darice

So what is the preferred direction for cellularity . . . higher or lower than the "norm" for your age? At 70, looks like hubby's cellularity should be around 30% . . . his is 40-50% . . . so he's higher than the norm . . . but is this good or bad?

Higher than average is good!

[Darice]

Nice to get good news every once in a while

I have wondered whether they try to do another BMB periodically to see how things are going . . . not that he wants another one . . . had more than enough of those over the past ten years . . . but how else do you really gauge the progress of the disease? I think we're all surprised that the Neulasta is keeping his HGB & platelets up as well as the WBC and I sure don't want to rock that boat! We'll just keep floating along enjoying the view.