Tests for Determining Leukemia

The stem cells are formed by the leukemia cells inmarrow biopsy, lymph nodes named lymph node
the bone marrow.These cells have uncontrolledexcision and cerebrospinal fluid named spinal tap.
growth and lead to decrease production of normalTo classify leukemia are used the following
blood cells.From this point of view the symptomstechniques: microscopic analysis of cell size and shape,
are:anemia, increased risk of bleeding which includecytochemistry-microscopic analysis of cell after
bleeding gums, nosebleeds, bruising, increased risk oftreatment with chemicals, immunocytochemistry of
infection, slow healing.flow cytometry-analysis of cells after treatment with
The common symptoms of leukemia are:fatigue, lacklaboratory antibodies, cytogenetics-analysis of the
of appetite, weight loss, fever,sweating.Whenchromosomes in leukemia cells and molecular
leukemia arrives to the thymus gland the possiblegenetics-analysis of specific DNA sequences in
symptoms are:coughing or shortness of breath whenleukemia cells.
the trachea is pressed by the enlarged thymus andWhen a child is diagnosed with leukemia the tests to
swelling of the head and arms (SVC syndrome) whenbe performed are the following: a chest x-ray for
the superior vena cava is pressed by the enlargeddetermine leukemia masses in the chest, bone x-rays
thymus.for determine leukemia invasion of the bones or
In the case when the leukemia spreads to the centraljoints, a CT Scan for determine leukemia in certain
nervous system there are other possible symptomslymph nodes and an MRI for determine leukemia in
like: headaches, poor school performance, weakness,the brain.After the leukemia has been diagnosed
seizures, vomiting, poor balance, blurred vision.Otheradditional tests can give informational about: the type
potential symptoms are: enlargement of the liver andof leukemia, the characteristics of the leukemia cells
spleen, enlargement of the lymph nodes,enlargementand its evolution through the body.
of the testicles and bone or joint pain.Acute lymphocytic leukemia in most cases is present
The symptoms of acute myelogenous leukemia areto children and is indicated by two types: high-risk or
gingivitis and rash.The blood tests demanded for thelow-risk.Patients with low-risk respond better to
leukemia diagnosis are: low red blood cell count, lowtreatment with the possibility of curding, and patients
platelets count, high white blood cell count, presencewith high-risk respond also to treatment but receive
of white blood cell blasts.If blood tests showsa more intensive treatment.Even if leukemia
leukemia presence, additional cells for analysis arerepresents the blood cancer nowadays it can be
obtained from the : bone marrow named bonetreated due to the science evolution.