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PCR / BCR

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Hi,

i am newly diagnosed this week & trying to understand everything. Could anyone explain if a BCR test is the same thing as a PCR test? And what is the difference between BCR & what PCR means?

Thankyou very much 

Hi Caroline,

Welcome to the forum.

This is one of those occasions where people get confused, and you regularly see them mixing up their terminology. But you have found the right place to get the right answer :-)

PCR: Polymerase Chain Reaction. This is the name of the type of type of test that is used to monitor your CML. The full name for the test is "Quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction".

BCR: Breakpoint Cluster Region. This is the name of part of the genetic mutation that causes our CML. The other is Abl (Abelson). Together they are knows as BCR-Abl, which is also referenced as The Philadelphia Chromosome.

So, The PCR test looks for the presence of BCR-Abl in your blood (or bone marrow). You can probably see now where some people get confused and mistake the terminology and call PCR test a BCR test.

At CML Support, we created a booklet which explains what a PCR test is how it works, etc. As a new patient, it is probably too much info to take in right now, but the first few pages ought to be digestible. 

https://www.cmlsupport.org.uk/section/pcr-booklet

I hope this helps, and fire any questions you have this way!

David.

Thank you for taking the time to explain this..