Tests

BREVAgen – pro

BREVAGen evaluates 7 breast cancer-associated SNPs identified in genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Risk is calculated by multiplying the product of the individual SNP risks by the Gail model risk. BREVAGen has been evaluated for use in Caucasian women of European descent age 35 years and older. According to the BREVAGen website, “suitable candidates” for testing include women with a Gail lifetime risk of 15% or greater; with high lifetime

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T-SPOT TB test – pro

T-SPOT is an assay used for tuberculosis diagnosis. It which belongs to the group of interferon-gamma release assays. The test is manufactured by Oxford Immunotec in the UK.and it counts the number of anti-mycobacterial effector T cells, white blood cells that produce interferon-gamma, in a sample of blood. This gives an overall measurement of the host immune response against mycobacteria, which can reveal the presence of infection with Mycobacterium

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Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy for fevers – pro

A  bone marrow aspiration and biopsy is not the appropriate test for workup of fever that is not FUO. Instead, cacner, infection or autoimmune disease should be sought.  The medically necessary approach to rule out a suspected lymphoma, for example,  involves locating a lymph area that may be invovled. This test remains important in investigating fever of unknown origin, which, however, is by definition prolonged and unexplained after appropriate

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NMP-22 urine assays for bladder cancer – pro

   NMP-22 urine assays for bladder cancer  detect nuclear mitotic apparatus protein 1 (NUMA-1) using monoclonal antibodies. NMP-22 protein provides structural support for the nucleus and ensures the correct separation of genetic material during mitosis into the respective daughter cells through mitotic spindle stabilization. It is not a particularly specific tests, with many described non-cancer  factors that elevate its values,  and there

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Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy – pro

ENB (Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy) or EMN bronchoscopy is a type of bronchoscopy that uses electromagnetic guidance to project catheters into and through bronchial passages. Using a virtual, three-dimensional (3D) bronchial map from a recent CT scan and disposable catheters, it makes it possible to navigate to a desired location within the lung  and to look at it or biopsy it, stage lymphatic nodes or to insert markers to guide future

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Colovantage test for colon cancer – pro

ColoVantage is a new test available from Quest. It is a screening test that is not meant to be a substitute for colonoscopy. It was approved by NY State in March of 2011. It  detects circulating methylated DNA from the SEPT9 gene, which is involved in cytokinesis and cell cycle control. A case-control study performed at Quest Diagnostics showed that the ColoVantage test is 70% sensitive for CRC detection at a specificity of 89%.  ColoVantage has

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Cytogenetics and flow cytometry in diagnosis of CLL – pro

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia displays a characteristic patterns of surface antigen expression (CD antigens), which facilitate their identification and proper classification and hence play an important role in instituting proper treatment plans. Multiparameter flow cytometric analysis has become commonplace in most laboratories for that purpose. Distinction between lymphoid and myeloid leukemias and of various subtypes of chronic lymphoproliferative

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Cytogenetics and flow in diagnosis of myeloproliferative disorders – pro

Chronic myeloproliferative disorders (CMPD) are classified according to the WHO classification of 2001 as polycythemia vera (PV), chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis (CIMF), essential thrombocythemia (ET), CMPD/unclassifiable (CMPD-U), chronic neutrophilic leukemia, and chronic eosinophilic leukemia (CEL)/hypereosinophilic syndrome, all to be delineated from BCR/ABL-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). I consider both cytogenetics and flow as not

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Osteocalcin and bone metastases – pro

Osteocalcin is a noncollagenous protein found in bone and dentin. It is secreted by osteoblasts and thought to play a role in mineralization and calcium ion homeostasis. It As osteocalcin is manufactured by osteoblasts, it is often used as a biochemical marker, or biomarker, for the bone formation process. Most of the use has been for monitoring treatment for osteoporosis but some use it for following metastatic bone disease. There are no guideline

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Prostate Px – pro

This approach represents a cutting edge of diagnostic science, sometimes termed, "Personalized Medciine". The concept that one can individualize cancer therpay based on specific tumor characteristics is attractive but needs to be proven before being widely adapted. As of now, there is little evidence to support it and no guidelines or professional bodies recommending it. The approach relies on published information but the way it is put together

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