Diagnosis
Once the physician suspects that a patient’s blood is abnormal, blood and bone marrow tests are performed to rule out leukemia. Additional tissue samples may be needed to confirm the diagnosis or to help plan treatment.
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Blood Tests
To diagnose leukemia, a number of blood tests are performed. These tests are used to evaluate the type and quantity of blood cells that are present, the blood chemistry, and other factors.
Full blood count—Full blood count is used to establish the numbers of different blood cell types within the circulation. Low numbers of red or white blood cells are described as anemia or leukopenia, respectively. Low numbers of “young” red blood cells (reticulocytes) are described as reticulocytopenia. High leukocyte or reticulocyte counts are called leukocytosis or reticulocytosis, respectively. A lack of mature neutrophils (bacteria-destroying white blood cells) is known as neutropenia or granulocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia is the term used for a low number of blood-clotting platelets, and thrombocytosis refers to a high number of platelets.
