leukemia symptoms : Laboratory Tests
Complete blood count (CBC) and differential
These are routine tests that are ordered to count the number and relative proportion of each of the different types of cells in the blood stream. They give your doctor information about the relative maturity of the blood cells present and they can provide the first evidence that a person has leukemia. Irregularities in cell counts, such as elevated WBC counts or low red blood cell counts may be due to leukemia or to a variety of temporary or chronic conditions, but blasts (very immature WBCs) are not normally seen in the blood. If they are present, some kind of leukemia is likely, and follow-up testing is indicated. The CBC and differential are used to help diagnose leukemia and are important tools to monitor the effectiveness of treatment and to detect recurrence.
Bone marrow aspiration/biopsy
Bone marrow exists as a matrix of fibrous supporting tissue, fluid, undifferentiated stem cells (that have the capability of becoming any of the different types of blood cells), and a mixture of blasts and maturing blood cells. If your doctor suspects leukemia, he will often order a bone marrow aspiration or biopsy to actually look at the cell-producing fluid and tissue in the marrow. A pathologist, or other specialist then examines the marrow sample (bone and/or fluid) under the microscope, evaluating the number, size, and shape of each of the cell types, as well as the proportions of mature and immature cells. If leukemia is present, the type and severity of the disease can be determined.
Spinal tap (lumbar puncture)
If leukemia is found in the bone marrow a spinal tap may also be done to look for leukemia cells in the cerebrospinal fluid.
Flourescent in situ hybridization (FISH)
This is a molecular cytogenetic test used to investigate chromosomal abnormalities associated with leukemias, other cancers, and genetic disorders. The test can be performed using a variety of samples including blood and bone marrow. Its main advantage is that non-dividing, uncultured cells can be used to help establish or confirm a diagnosis using this method.
Non-Laboratory Tests
X-rays are sometimes used to look for signs of the disease (tumors and masses of cells) in areas such as the chest. Other imaging scans may also be used to evaluate the status of body organs such as the spleen, liver, and kidney.
Treatments
In general, cure and remission rates of leukemia continue to improve for both children and adults.
Specific treatment depends on the type, severity, and symptoms. The goals of treatment are to address the cell shortages that are causing symptoms, push the leukemia into remission, and, if possible, kill all of the abnormal white blood cells -- allowing normal cells to reproduce and restore blood cell function.
Symptomatic treatment may include red blood cell and/or platelet transfusions and antibiotic therapy. If the spleen is too swollen, it may need to be surgically removed. Treatment of the leukemia may include chemotherapy drugs and radiation — both to kill cells and to relieve pain. If leukemia cells have migrated into the cerebrospinal fluid, chemotherapy drugs that are injected directly into the spinal fluid may be required.
In some cases bone marrow samples may be taken from the patient, "cleaned" of abnormal cells, and frozen to be reintroduced into the same patient following treatment. Allogeneic bone marrow transplants (using a marrow sample from a compatible donor -- most frequently a family member) can be used to cure many cases of acute leukemia. Bone marrow transplants may be considered when other treatment regimens have failed to push the leukemia into remission, or when the leukemia has recurred.
Patients with chronic leukemia may not need treatment for years, until the number of WBCs begins to increase, and/or the number of red blood cells or platelets decreases. Over-treatment of chronic leukemia may be worse than under-treatment, because drugs won't cure the condition or prolong the patient's survival and they may cause severe side effects.
© Medical Laboratory Services 2003 - Produced By Cyberspace Solutions
These are routine tests that are ordered to count the number and relative proportion of each of the different types of cells in the blood stream. They give your doctor information about the relative maturity of the blood cells present and they can provide the first evidence that a person has leukemia. Irregularities in cell counts, such as elevated WBC counts or low red blood cell counts may be due to leukemia or to a variety of temporary or chronic conditions, but blasts (very immature WBCs) are not normally seen in the blood. If they are present, some kind of leukemia is likely, and follow-up testing is indicated. The CBC and differential are used to help diagnose leukemia and are important tools to monitor the effectiveness of treatment and to detect recurrence.
Bone marrow aspiration/biopsy
Bone marrow exists as a matrix of fibrous supporting tissue, fluid, undifferentiated stem cells (that have the capability of becoming any of the different types of blood cells), and a mixture of blasts and maturing blood cells. If your doctor suspects leukemia, he will often order a bone marrow aspiration or biopsy to actually look at the cell-producing fluid and tissue in the marrow. A pathologist, or other specialist then examines the marrow sample (bone and/or fluid) under the microscope, evaluating the number, size, and shape of each of the cell types, as well as the proportions of mature and immature cells. If leukemia is present, the type and severity of the disease can be determined.
Spinal tap (lumbar puncture)
If leukemia is found in the bone marrow a spinal tap may also be done to look for leukemia cells in the cerebrospinal fluid.
Flourescent in situ hybridization (FISH)
This is a molecular cytogenetic test used to investigate chromosomal abnormalities associated with leukemias, other cancers, and genetic disorders. The test can be performed using a variety of samples including blood and bone marrow. Its main advantage is that non-dividing, uncultured cells can be used to help establish or confirm a diagnosis using this method.
Non-Laboratory Tests
X-rays are sometimes used to look for signs of the disease (tumors and masses of cells) in areas such as the chest. Other imaging scans may also be used to evaluate the status of body organs such as the spleen, liver, and kidney.
Treatments
In general, cure and remission rates of leukemia continue to improve for both children and adults.
Specific treatment depends on the type, severity, and symptoms. The goals of treatment are to address the cell shortages that are causing symptoms, push the leukemia into remission, and, if possible, kill all of the abnormal white blood cells -- allowing normal cells to reproduce and restore blood cell function.
Symptomatic treatment may include red blood cell and/or platelet transfusions and antibiotic therapy. If the spleen is too swollen, it may need to be surgically removed. Treatment of the leukemia may include chemotherapy drugs and radiation — both to kill cells and to relieve pain. If leukemia cells have migrated into the cerebrospinal fluid, chemotherapy drugs that are injected directly into the spinal fluid may be required.
In some cases bone marrow samples may be taken from the patient, "cleaned" of abnormal cells, and frozen to be reintroduced into the same patient following treatment. Allogeneic bone marrow transplants (using a marrow sample from a compatible donor -- most frequently a family member) can be used to cure many cases of acute leukemia. Bone marrow transplants may be considered when other treatment regimens have failed to push the leukemia into remission, or when the leukemia has recurred.
Patients with chronic leukemia may not need treatment for years, until the number of WBCs begins to increase, and/or the number of red blood cells or platelets decreases. Over-treatment of chronic leukemia may be worse than under-treatment, because drugs won't cure the condition or prolong the patient's survival and they may cause severe side effects.
© Medical Laboratory Services 2003 - Produced By Cyberspace Solutions
