Diagnose Leukemia

There are various tests that can be done to help diagnose leukemia. The following three methods are the most common:

1. Physical examination - Often used to check for lumps, disorders, or certain symptoms of leukemia that may be present in patients. This examination usually includes a thorough revision of the patient's medical history, family history, and risk factors that may exist specifically for the patient. Once the inspection has been completed, usually for a blood test to follow.

2. Blood Test - As a CBC (complete blood count) test can detect leukemia by determining the number of red blood cells and white, along with platelets (small, round, thin the blood cells that help the blood to stop flowing from the cut to become thick and sticky), the number of red blood cells which make-up blood samples, and the amount of hemoglobin in the blood that is composed.

- Peripherial blood smear (a thin layer of blood [stained] smeared on a microscope slide that allows for the cells to be examined microscopically) to determine the presence of "blast cells," which will reveal the type and number of white blood cells that exist, can also be used.
- A blood cytogenetic analysis can be used to check for any changes in the chromosomes of lymphocytes, together with other blood tests to see how well organs are functioning.

3. Biopsy - A fine needle is usually inserted into the hip or breast bone to remove both bone samples, or bone marrow in the laboratory for microscopic examination (bone marrow aspiration [most common]). Samples are usually examined by a pathologist for any signs of cancer cells.
Another form of biopsy may include:

(a) Lymph node biopsy - depending on the type of leukemia that is suspected (lymph nodes removed for examination by a pathologist).
(b) Lumbar puncture / Spinal Tap - is where the spinal fluid is removed from between the vertebrae in the spine, for examination by a pathologist.

Another during the biopsy procedure may include:
CT scans, X-rays, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), and Ultra Sound Scan.