Bcr-abl Quantitative (is)

About this test

A BCR-ABL1 Quantitative International Scale (IS) test uses a sample of blood or bone marrow to look for an abnormal gene called BCR-ABL1. The abnormal BCR-ABL1 gene is formed when pieces of chromosomes 9 and 22 break off and trade places. The broken piece of chromosome 9 includes part of the ABL1 gene. It attaches (fuses) to part of the BCR gene on chromosome 22. This makes the abnormal fusion gene, BCR-ABL1. The changed chromosome 22 is called a Philadelphia chromosome.

If your health care provider thinks you may have a type of leukemia that involves the BCR-ABL1 gene, you may need a BCR-ABL1 genetic test to make a diagnosis.

The abnormal BCR-ABL1 gene is involved in certain types of blood cancer. It's found in:

• Most people who have chronic myeloid leukemia (CML
• Some people who have certain types of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
• Some people with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but very rarely

If you had a BCR-ABL1 gene test to see if your cancer treatment is working, your provider will compare your results with past test results to look for changes over time.

• If the amount of BCR-ABL1 in your sample decreases, it means your treatment is working to some degree. Your test results may describe your response to treatment using words such as minor, minimal, partial, major, or complete.
• If the amount of BCR-ABL1 in your sample increases, it may mean your treatment is not working. You may need to try another treatment or have more tests. An increase in BCR-ABL1 levels after successful treatment, may mean your cancer has come back.

If you have already been diagnosed with a type of leukemia that involves a BCR-ABL1 gene, you may need this test to:

• Help guide treatment decisions
• See how well your treatment is working (if treatment is helping, the number of cells with BCR-ABL1 genes will decrease.)
• Monitor your health after treatment to see if blood cancer is coming back

Signs and symptoms of above mentioned blood cancers include:

• High levels of white blood cells on a complete blood count (CBC) test
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Night sweats (heavy sweating during sleep)
• Joint or bone pain
• Pain or fullness below your ribs on the left side
• Painless lumps in your armpits, groin, neck, or belly

Other Names – BCR ABL Quantitative International scale, BCR ABL Quantitative test, BCR-ABL RT PCR test, BCR ABL test, Philadelphia Chromosome, Philadelphia Chromosome test, t(9;22), translocation 9 22, Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, CML

If you had BCR-ABL1 genetic testing to diagnose a blood cancer, your provider will probably use the results of more than one test to make a diagnosis. Your provider will likely diagnose either chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) or Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) if your tests show all three of these results:

• Abnormal white blood cells
• The BCR-ABL1 gene
• The Philadelphia chromosome

In certain cases, a person may have CML without having the Philadelphia chromosome, but this isn't common.