Complete Blood Count (CBC)
A complete blood count is a procedure in which a sample of blood is drawn and checked for:
- The number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
- The amount of hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen) in the red blood cells
- The portion of the sample made up of red blood cells.
Blood Chemistry Studies
Blood chemistry studies are procedures in which a blood sample is checked to measure the amounts of certain substances released into the blood by organs and tissues in the body. An unusual (higher or lower than normal) amount of a substance can be a sign of disease in the organ or tissue that produces it.
Cytogenetic Analysis
A cytogenetic analysis is a test in which cells in a sample of blood or bone marrow is viewed under a microscope to look for certain changes in the chromosomes, such as the Philadelphia chromosome.
Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy
A bone marrow aspiration and biopsy entails the removal of a small piece of bone and bone marrow by inserting a needle into the hipbone or breastbone. A pathologist will then view both the bone and bone marrow samples under a microscope to look for abnormal cells.
Phases of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
After chronic myelogenous
leukemia has been diagnosed, tests are done to find out if the cancer has spread. Staging is the process that is used to find out how far the cancer has spread. However, there is no standard staging system for chronic myelogenous leukemia. Instead, chronic myelogenous leukemia is classified by phase. The phases of CML include:
- Chronic phase
- Accelerated phase
- Blastic phase
- Relapsed.
It is important to know the phase of CML in order to plan treatment.
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