The tests used to diagnose leukemia are the blood count (blood test), which will be changed, and the examination of the bone marrow (myelogram).
However, the diagnosis of leukemia is only confirmed after examination of the bone marrow. The examination consists of the removal of a small amount of the spongy material from within the bone and the analysis of the cells found there.
Further studies may be needed to classify leukemia as to its subtype and risk, such as molecular biology exams.
The treatment of leukemia will depend on the type of leukemia, where the disease has spread, the age of the patient, as well as whether it has other health problems. Treatment may include:
- Chemotherapy: Group of drugs capable of killing cancer cells;
- Radiotherapy: Radiation used to destroy cancer cells;
- Bone marrow transplant: Treatment involves replacing dead bone marrow cells in chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The donation of these cells may come:
- From the patient himself: Cells are removed from the patient's bone marrow prior to treatment being completed and put back after completion of chemotherapy or radiation therapy;
- Of Patient-Related Persons, usually brother of same father and same mother, and whose blood corresponds to his;
- Of people not related to the patient, but have blood corresponding to his;
- From the umbilical cord of a newborn baby, provided that the blood corresponds to that of the patient;
- Surgery: Treatment may include surgical removal of the spleen.
It is important to remember that there are no ways to prevent or diagnose leukemia early.
Even chronic cases of the disease may do not manifest symptoms. On the blood count, there is a change in blood, but the patient does not present any symptoms.
The diagnosis and treatment of leukemia is the responsibility of the medical hematologist and oncologist.
Learn more at:
Does Leukemia Cure? How is the treatment?
What are the symptoms of leukemia?
What is leukemia?
