LEUKEMIA DIAGNOSTIC PANEL ACUTE LEUKEMIA T, B OR MYELOID

Acute Leukemia Panel Test

Acute leukemia panel test is a blood test used to identify the type/subtype of Acute leukemia. Leukemia is basically a cancer of blood in which a particular type of white blood cell proliferates in uncontrolled and abnormal manner in the bone marrow and spreads to the bloodstream and various organs of the body. The origin of this blood cancer is bone marrow of bones.

Bone marrow is the soft spongy tissue present in centre of all bones. Bone marrow is of two types-red and yellow. Red bone marrow has certain cells called hematopoietic stem cells. These stem cells develop into myeloid cells or lymphoid cells. The myeloid cells form into red blood cells, particular type of white blood cells (neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils) and platelets. Lymphoid cells form into particular type of white blood cells (lymphocytes and natural killer cells) Yellow bone marrow has fat and certain cells that form cartilage, fat or bone cells.

The different cells play different crucial functions such as-

• Red blood cells-which carry oxygen in our body to various organs
• White blood cells-which fight various infections
• Platelets-which help in clotting of blood

In leukemia there is uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal blood cells which take up the space inside the bone marrow. This prevents the normal bone marrow cells to develop and proliferate. This leads to deficiency of normal blood cells which can have various consequences like anaemia, recurrent infections, and uncontrolled bleeding.

Leukemia is classified according to speed of development into:

• Acute leukemia
• Chronic leukemia

Leukemia is also classified according to cell type into:

• Myeloid leukemia
• Lymphocytic leukemia

Thus the four major types of leukemia are:

• Acute myeloid leukemia(MOST COMMON type of acute leukemia in adults)
• Acute lymphocytic leukemia
• Chronic myeloid leukemia
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia

There are other subtypes of leukemia as well such as hairy cell leukemia, myelogenous leukemia, erythroleukemia etc.

Why is Acute Leukemia blood test prescribed?

The health care provider may advise this test if he suspects acute leukemia due to presence of certain symptoms such as:

• Fever
• Easy fatigability/weakness
• Easy bruising/bleeding
• Recurrent infections
• Bone and joint pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• breathlessness

He may also advise this test if there are suspicious symptoms in presence of risk factors for developing acute myeloid leukemia (aml) such as:

• old age
• male
• smoking
• exposure to radiation
• presence of certain inherited disorders

Procedure and Prerequisites

The sample is taken from blood by inserting small needle into vein of patient’s arm. A small amount of blood is then collected in test tube or vial. There may be a little pain due to needle prick. No special preparations are required for the test. Relevant clinical history/physical examination findings must be sent along with the sample.

What are the components of Acute Leukemia test?

The test includes measurement of complete blood count (CBC), differential count (DLC) and peripheral blood smears to look for abnormality in blood cells.