Questions About Blood Levels And Pathology- Deletions?

Hi All,

My hs had his 9th avastin infusion today. He's coming right out of temadar 5/23 for the 2nd time last Tuesday. His blood levels were better today than two weeks ago when he had Avastin. I really suspected he would have very low plt's he is wiped out and sleeping a lot ,but otherwise doing well and still able to work. Todays plt's were 213 last week he was at 113. Is this common? Also, we return in two weeks for MRI & Avastin. we have questions for the Dr. and one of them is the pathology reports. I have been reading on this board about deletions? What would I be looking for in deletions? is there a website that expalins pathology for dx of GBM?

I appreciate the opinions on this board and look forward to getting some feedback.

On 4/7/2008 Laura412 wrote:

Hi All,

My hs had his 9th avastin infusion today. He's coming right out of temadar 5/23 for the 2nd time last Tuesday. His blood levels were better today than two weeks ago when he had Avastin. I really suspected he would have very low plt's he is wiped out and sleeping a lot ,but otherwise doing well and still able to work. Todays plt's were 213 last week he was at 113. Is this common? Also, we return in two weeks for MRI & Avastin. we have questions for the Dr. and one of them is the pathology reports. I have been reading on this board about deletions? What would I be looking for in deletions? is there a website that expalins pathology for dx of GBM?

I appreciate the opinions on this board and look forward to getting some feedback.

My husband has an oligodendroglioma and has the deletions.  An oligo is a tumor that affects the oligodendryte cells in the brain which make the myelin sheaths on the nerve cells.  Having the gene deletions is generally considered a good sign because they are indicative of cancer cells that will probably be more responsive to chemo.  That being said, I don't think they have identified any gene markers in GBM's.  My understanding is a GBM has more varied types of cells affected by cancer, but don't quote me on that, I do not have a medical background ( sure would be handy if I did at this point).  My best wishes to you and your husband.

Jackiekay