How do healthcare providers diagnose blood cancer?
How do healthcare providers diagnose blood cancer?
Healthcare providers may begin diagnosis by asking about your symptoms and your medical history. They’ll do complete physical examinations. They may order several kinds of blood and imaging tests, too. The tests they’ll use may be different for each suspected blood cancer type. Tests used to diagnose blood cancer include:
- Complete blood count (CBC): This test measures and counts your blood cells. For example, if your healthcare provider suspects you have leukemia, they’ll look for high (or low) white blood cell counts and lower than normal red blood cell and platelet counts.
- Blood chemistry test: This test measures chemicals and other substances in your blood. In some cases, your healthcare provider may order specific blood tests for cancer to learn more about your situation.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan: This test uses a series of X-rays and a computer to create three-dimensional images of your soft tissues and bones. If your healthcare provider suspects you have myeloma, they may order a CT scan to look for bone damage.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan: Your healthcare provider may order an MRI to look for signs of leukemia or lymphoma complications affecting your spine.
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: This test produces images of your organs and tissues at work. Your healthcare provider may order a PET scan to look for signs of myeloma.
- Bone marrow biopsies: Healthcare providers may do bone marrow biopsies to analyze the percentage of normal and abnormal blood cells in your bone marrow. They may also test your bone marrow sample for changes in your DNA that may drive cancer growth.
- Blood cell examination: Healthcare providers may take blood samples so they can examine them under a microscope to look for changes in blood cell appearance. For example, they might order peripheral smear test to look for signs of leukemia or lymphoma.