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Leukemia Medical Tests &
Diagnosis
See Also:
Leukemia: Overview
Leukemia: 5 Types &
Stages (5 pages)
Leukemia:
Causes & Risk Factors
Leukemia: Signs &
Symptoms
Leukemia: Medical
Tests & Diagnosis
Leukemia:
Treatment Options
Medical Test and Diagnosis
In order to establish a correct diagnosis of leukemia,
the doctor follows several steps.
| Anamnesis
(detailed medical review of past health state): One
of the first steps in establishing a leukemia
diagnosis is a detailed and complex medical
review of a patient's past health problems and
general health state, family medical history,
leukemia risk factors, and symptoms.
Physical examination
During a physical examination, the doctor looks
for modifications of the internal organs like
swelling of the liver, spleen, or lymph nodes
from the neck, underarms, and groin area.
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Laboratory tests
Blood test:The blood test
allows the pathologist to examine the blood cells
under a microscope. The examination criteria are:
(1) the blood cells' general appearance, (2) the
number of each type of blood cells (red and white
cells, and platelets), (3) the cell maturation
stage, and (4) the presence or absence of
leukemia blast cells. Blood tests are also
conducted to diagnose and establish the type of
leukemia.
Bone marrow test: This
test allows the pathologist to examine the marrow
cells. It usually confirms the presence or
absence of leukemia and the leukemia type. The
bone marrow sample can be collected in two ways:
(1) through a bone marrow aspiration - the bone
marrow sample is removed with a thin needle
inserted into the marrow of a large bone, and (2)
through biopsy - the bone marrow sample is
removed together with the bone tissue.
Spinal tap: This test
allows the pathologist to examine the
cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid located in and
around the brain and spinal cord), and to confirm
the presence of leukemia cells. A cerebrospinal
fluid sample is removed through a lumbar
puncture. A thin needle is inserted into the
space around the spinal cord and removes a sample
of fluid. This test is performed only when the
leukemia diagnosis was confirmed with the purpose
of establishing whether or not the leukemia cells
had spread to other internal organs.
Immunophenotyping: An
immunophotype test helps identify the chemicals
located on the cells' surface and diagnose the
disease by placing various sorts of strain on
bone marrow, blood, or lymph nodes cells. For
leukemia, the pathologist uses antigens
(proteins) and the body’s antibodies. The
antibodies react to certain antigens. This test
helps identifying leukemia cells if present, the
type of leukemia cells (lymphocytic or
myelogenous cells, and the cell subtype, which
helps establishing a treatment approach).
Cytogenetics or chromosome
analysis. This test analyzes the shape and
number of the chromosomes from the leukemia cell,
and can identify the chromosome alteration and
sometimes the gene mutation. The advantages of
this test are: (1) it identifies the specific
leukemia type involved, (2) it helps with
establishing an effective treatment plan, and (3)
it allows follow-up evaluations of the treatment
effectiveness.
Imaging techniques
The purpose of these techniques is to
locate masses of leukemia cells inside the body. Some of
the most used imaging techniques are:
Chest X-rays: An x-ray
test uses high energy electromagnetic radiation
to penetrate the body and create the
inside image on a film. An x-ray can reveal any
possible mass of leukemia cells in the chest.
Ultrasounds: Ultrasound
imaging is a medical technique that uses
high-frequency sound waves to create an interior
image of the body on a special computer screen.
This image is formed from the echoes of the sound
waves on the surface of the organs. Abnormal
tissue masses and organs reflect sound waves
differently. This test involves a device called
transducer, that is placed on the upper part of
the abdomen, and a computer that translates this
sound into image. Ultrasound imaging is a safe,
noninvasive and fast test that can detect
leukemia cell masses. Usually, ultrasounds are
used to detect whether or not the liver, kidneys,
or the spleen were invaded by the leukemia cells.
Bone or Gallium Scan: This
is usually used to detect whether or not the bone
pain (a symptom of leukemia) is caused by a
tumor. This type of bone scan uses a radioactive
form of gallium which collects in the areas where
there are leukemia cells or infections.
Computed Tomography (CT): This
imaging test is similar with an x-ray test, and
creates a detailed cross-sectional image of the
body.
A CT scan is usually performed in two
steps for a better diagnosis outcome:
1). First, the targeted area is
scanned without a contrast agent.
2). Second, the targeted area is scanned after a
contrast agent was administrated.
See Also:
Leukemia: Overview
Leukemia: 5 Types &
Stages (5 pages)
Leukemia:
Causes & Risk Factors
Leukemia: Signs &
Symptoms
Leukemia: Medical
Tests & Diagnosis
Leukemia:
Treatment Options
Article by Alina Morrow, MS
Medical Writer
OmniMedicalSearch.com
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