Minimal Residual Disease

Sometimes a small number of leukemic cells are left behind in the bodies of the patients during or after their treatments. These signs might not show symptoms of the disease itself at this stage but remain one of the most potential and major cause of a relapse of the disease in the patients. With the help of the advanced technologies being used in the field of healthcare it is now possible to detect these harmful cells in the body. However, just a decade ago the detection of these cells was not possible which increased the risks of cancer development for the patients later in their lives as none of the tests were sensitive enough.  However in the current era, the sensitive molecular tests based on;

1.       DNA - DeoxyriboNucleic Acid

2.       RNA - Ribonucleic acid

3.       Proteins

help in detectingeven the minutest level of cancer cells from the tissue samples provided by the patients. Even if there is one cancer cell amongst millions of normal cells these tests are able to identify and detect them easily.

The Minimal residual disease testing is significant for the patients who are suffering from leukemia. It helps in identifying the issues like;

1.       Whether the treatment for the patients has been successful in eradicating cancer from the body

2.       Making it possible for the healthcare providers to compare the efficacy of different treatments

3.       Making it possible for the healthcare providers to monitor patient remission status

4.       Making it possible for the healthcare providers to calculate recurrence chances of leukemia or cancer

5.       Making it possible for the healthcare providers to select the best treatment option and much more.

The minimal residual tests of the patients are also helpful in detecting early tumors in the bodies of the patients. These are significant tests that have helped many patients in becoming aware of their deteriorating health conditions at very early stages to save their lives. However, these tests are very different from the routine tests and are not carried out at all the medical institutes. In fact these tests are conducted at leukemia research laboratories or clinics.