Methods for leukemia examination

The main methods for leukemia examination include blood routine examination, bone marrow puncture examination, cell chemical staining examination, immune typing examination, chromosome and gene examination. These tests can help doctors diagnose the type and severity of leukemia.

1. Blood routine examination:

Blood routine examination is the basic examination for leukemia screening. The blood routine results of leukemia patients often show a significant increase in white blood cell count, accompanied by anemia and thrombocytopenia. Doctors can preliminarily determine the possibility of leukemia by observing the quantity and morphological changes of various blood cells in the blood. If abnormalities are found, further bone marrow examination is needed to confirm the diagnosis.

2. Bone marrow puncture examination:

Bone marrow puncture is the core method for diagnosing leukemia. The doctor will extract a small amount of bone marrow fluid from the patient's ilium or sternum and observe the ratio of primitive cells to immature cells in the bone marrow under a microscope. If the proportion of primitive cells exceeds 20%, it is usually diagnosed as leukemia. This examination can also distinguish between acute leukemia and chronic leukemia, providing key evidence for subsequent treatment.

3. Cytochemical staining examination:

Cytochemical staining examination is a special staining analysis performed on the basis of bone marrow smear. Different types of leukemia cells can be distinguished through methods such as peroxidase staining and Sudan black staining. For example, peroxidase staining of acute myeloid leukemia cells is usually positive, while acute lymphocytic leukemia cells are negative. This examination helps determine the specific source of leukemia cells.

4. Immunotyping examination:

Immunotyping examination uses flow cytometry technology to accurately determine the type and differentiation stage of leukemia cells by detecting specific antigen markers on the surface of leukemia cells. This examination can distinguish between B-cell, T-cell, or myeloid leukemia, and has important value in developing targeted treatment plans and evaluating prognosis.

5. Chromosome and gene examination:

Chromosome and gene examination detects specific chromosomal abnormalities and fusion genes by analyzing the chromosomal karyotype and gene mutations of leukemia cells. For example, patients with chronic myeloid leukemia often have the Philadelphia chromosome, while patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia have the PML-RAR α fusion gene. These findings not only aid in diagnosis, but also guide the use of targeted drugs and assess the risk of disease recurrence. The leukemia examination requires the comprehensive use of multiple methods mentioned above to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Patients should maintain a normal diet and daily routine before undergoing examinations to avoid excessive stress. During the examination process, it is necessary to cooperate with the doctor's operation. After bone marrow puncture, attention should be paid to pressing the puncture site locally to stop bleeding, keeping it clean and dry, and avoiding vigorous exercise. After diagnosis, one should seek medical attention at a hematology specialist as soon as possible and develop personalized treatment plans based on specific subtypes.