How is acute myeloid leukemia (AML) diagnosed?

How is acute myeloid leukemia (AML) diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam. They check for signs of bruising, bleeding or infection. Your provider will also see if you have an enlarged liver, spleen or lymph nodes.

You may get one or more of these tests:

• Blood tests: A complete blood count (CBC) checks your numbers of blood cells and platelets. A peripheral blood smear assesses if there are cancer cells present.
• Bone marrow biopsy: During a bone marrow biopsy, your provider removes a small piece of bone, marrow tissue and a liquid sample of the bone marrow. A lab analyzes these samples for cancer.
• Spinal tap: A spinal tap or lumbar puncture can determine if cancer is in the fluid around your brain or spinal cord. This test determines if cancer has spread to this area.