To determine whether you have leukemia, you may need several exams and tests. The tests will help you and your care team understand the type of leukemia you have and how advanced it is. Diagnostic tests also help determine which leukemia treatments will be most effective.
Doctors at Penn Medicine have specialized training in this type of cancer and are experienced at diagnosing every type of leukemia. We use advanced assessments so that you receive an accurate diagnosis and a complete care plan. Throughout the process, we provide support and personalized care.
Diagnostic tools to detect leukemia
Our specialists use a variety of tools to gather complex information and accurately diagnose leukemia. The process begins with a physical exam. You’ll be asked about your symptoms, how long they’ve been happening, and about your personal and family history of cancer. Let your doctor know if you’ve had previous exposure to chemicals and whether you smoke now or have in the past. Your doctor will also examine you to check for signs of leukemia, including an enlarged liver or spleen, pale skin, or swollen lymph nodes.
Blood tests can show whether you have leukemia cells or other changes in your blood. These tests include a blood count (CBC) to measure your red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A differential blood test (diff) counts the number of each type of white blood cell and detects abnormal cells. A pathologist may also examine a drop of your blood under a microscope to look for signs of leukemia.
Another test called flow cytometry can identify the types of cells in your blood or bone marrow and provide information about how quickly leukemia may be spreading. Additional blood tests can let your doctor know how organs, like your liver, are functioning to determine if leukemia has spread to those parts of your body.
Because some types of leukemia begin in the bone marrow and may not be detectable in the blood, taking a sample of your bone marrow is an important part of the diagnostic process. Imaging tests can also show whether leukemia has spread.
Understanding the results of leukemia testing
Our leukemia team, which includes hematologists, oncologists, and pathologists, meet to discuss your test results. This meeting ensures that we have all of the information we need for an accurate diagnosis.
Then our physicians and nurse practitioners talk with you and your family, taking time to discuss your results and your diagnosis. If you receive a diagnosis, we’ll explain what type of leukemia you’re being diagnosed with, and we’ll answer all of the questions you and your loved ones have.
Getting a second opinion on a leukemia diagnosis
If you already have a leukemia diagnosis, you may want to seek a second opinion from a Penn Medicine expert.
Our hematologist-oncologists, pathologists, and nurses specialize in only leukemia. We review your test results and medical records and determine what additional, advanced testing you need. Then we can confirm the diagnosis, clarify the type, and provide additional information to guide your treatment decisions.
Consulting with us can help you choose the most effective treatments for your specific diagnosis.
Leukemia expertise at Penn Medicine
Penn Medicine’s blood cancer care providers rely on their extensive knowledge and experience when evaluating you for leukemia. We offer:
- Deep-rooted insight: Penn physicians are leaders in leukemia organizations, meaning we have advanced understanding of the disease and how to diagnose it. Our doctors help create international guidelines and teach other hematologists about diagnosing leukemia.
- Care backed by research: Every day, our scientists learn more about leukemia and better ways of detecting it, which informs our clinical practice. Penn researchers discovered the Philadelphia chromosome, helping doctors understand the genetic role in leukemia.
- Guidance through the process: When you contact our team for a leukemia diagnosis, you work closely with a patient coordinator or nurse navigator specialized in blood cancer. They make sure you quickly get the appointments you need for tests and consultations. Our navigators can also help with barriers to care, like financial issues, and can connect you to special services. Once your testing is complete, our team takes time to make sure you understand your leukemia and what it means.
- In-house labs and tests: We do all of our testing and lab work on-site. This means you get faster results and can start treatment quickly.