What is the best way to diagnose leukemia?

A blood test showing an abnormal white cell count may suggest the diagnosis. To confirm the diagnosis and identify the specific type of leukemia, a needle biopsy and aspiration of bone marrow from a pelvic bone will need to be done to test for leukemic cells, DNA markers, and chromosome changes in the bone marrow.

How is leukemia diagnosed or detected?

Blood tests. By looking at a sample of your blood, your doctor can determine if you have abnormal levels of red or white blood cells or platelets — which may suggest leukemia. A blood test may also show the presence of leukemia cells, though not all types of leukemia cause the leukemia cells to circulate in the blood.

What are 5 symptoms of leukemia?

Common leukemia signs and symptoms include:

• Fever or chills.
• Persistent fatigue, weakness.
• Frequent or severe infections.
• Losing weight without trying.
• Swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen.
• Easy bleeding or bruising.
• Recurrent nosebleeds.
• Tiny red spots in your skin (petechiae)

Would a CBC show leukemia?

Your doctor will conduct a complete blood count (CBC) to determine if you have leukemia. This test may reveal if you have leukemic cells. Abnormal levels of white blood cells and abnormally low red blood cell or platelet counts can also indicate leukemia.

Can leukemia have no symptoms?

In CLL, the leukemia cells grow out of control and crowd out normal blood cells. These cells often build up slowly over time. Many people don’t have any symptoms for at least a few years. In time, the cells can spread to other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen.

How does leukemia show up in a CBC?

Leukemia is most often diagnosed through a diagnostic test called a complete blood count (CBC). If a patient’s CBC shows abnormal levels of white blood cells or abnormally low red blood cells or platelets, he or she has leukemia. The physician will then order a bone marrow biopsy to determine the type of leukemia.

What are your early symptoms of leukemia?

Fatigue, loss of appetite, night sweats. None of these symptoms were drastic but I did decide to discuss with my doctor at a routine annual exam. Leukemia is a family of diseases and I have a rare leukemia called primary myelofibrosis. Routine blood work showed high platelets, circulating blasts and some other abnormalities.

What kind of doctor should I see if I have leukemia?

Start by seeing your family doctor if you have signs or symptoms that worry you. If your doctor suspects you have leukemia, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in diseases of the blood and bone marrow (hematologist).

What are the symptoms of low platelets in leukemia?

Certain leukemia symptoms, such as reoccurring infections, can be due to low white blood cells. Thrombocytopenia, or having low levels of platelets, is another common and significant problem in many patients with leukemia, especially those with acute leukemia (myelogenous and lymphocytic) or advanced chronic leukemias.

What tests are used to diagnose leukemia?

Next, doctors may look for further evidence of leukemia through a blood test, bone marrow test, gene test, lymph node biopsy, or imaging tests. Treatment of leukemia will depend on the type and stage of the cancer. Contact CCCN to learn more. There are two main types of lymphoma: Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.