Is Bone marrow flow test is necessary every year?

[Supratim]

I had bone marrow biopsy and flow test when I was diagnosed with CLL. But now I came to know that it is necessary to have BM flow test every year. Please share some information.

Thanks

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator]

Who says it is necesssary and why? I've had two flow cytometry tests and one bone marrow biopsy done in 10 years. Even bone marrow biopsies are rarely done in Australia. Only a Flow Cytometry test is needed for diagnosis and provided you have the CLL presentation of CLL/SLL, it can be done on peripheral blood. With SLL, you probably will need a Flow Cytometry test done on a biopsy of an enlarged lymph node. If the SLL is diagnosed early enough, it may not show up in the bone marrow.

I note that in your case, there has been some uncertainty about what lymphoma you have. Is that why the extra tests?

Neil

[GMa27]

We would need more info about ur CLL to comment. But from my experience after BMB, Fish/Flow the first year...just routine blood work was done during 11 years on W&W until treatment was mentioned. Then I repeated BMB, Fish/Flow along with scans.

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero]

Flow cytometry for a diagnosis then CTscans and a FISH before treatment, is the current recommendation for CLL.

SLL is a bit different, node biopsies are preferred, and CT or maybe a PET scan... when required.

~chris 🇨🇦

[thompsonellen]

Never heard that. Did have 3 as part of a trial. No mention or expectation of recurring BMBs.