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Your doctor can diagnose acute leukemia based on a physical exam, medical questions, and tests that look at a person's blood and bone marrow cells.
**Medical History**
Your doctor will ask about your medical history to gather information about your health habits, past illnesses, and treatments.
**Physical Exam**
Your doctor will perform a general physical exam. This exam checks your physical health for any unusual findings or symptoms. During the physical exam, your lymph nodes, spleen, and liver will be examined for enlargement.
**Complete Blood Count (CBC)**
A blood sample is collected and examined to measure various parameters:
* The amount of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets (clotting cells)
* The amount of hemoglobin bound to RBCs
* The proportion of the sample made up of red blood cells, called the hematocrit.
In patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the blood count often shows low hemoglobin (Hgb) levels and platelet (plt) counts, and WBC counts may be low or high.
**Blood and Urine Chemistry Tests**
This is an analysis of a blood sample to measure the levels of certain substances released by the body's organs and tissues into the bloodstream. Unusually high or low levels of these substances can help in diagnosing disease. In acute lymphoblastic leukemia, LDH and uric acid levels may be elevated.
**Peripheral Blood Smear**
Your doctor examines your blood sample under a microscope to look for changes in the shape of blood cells. This is very important in diagnosing acute leukemia. Your doctor can also determine the quantity, type of white blood cells, and platelet count.
In acute lymphoblastic leukemia, leukemia cells called "lymphoblasts" may be seen. The absence of these cells in a peripheral blood smear does not mean everything is normal.
**Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy**
Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy is a procedure to collect and examine bone marrow, a spongy tissue found in some of your larger bones. It is used to diagnose and monitor acute leukemia. A bone marrow biopsy and bone marrow aspiration are usually done at the same time.
How is acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) diagnosed?
**Medical History**
Your doctor will ask about your medical history to gather information about your health habits, past illnesses, and treatments.
**Physical Exam**
Your doctor will perform a general physical exam. This exam checks your physical health for any unusual findings or symptoms. During the physical exam, your lymph nodes, spleen, and liver will be examined for enlargement.
**Complete Blood Count (CBC)**
A blood sample is collected and examined to measure various parameters:
* The amount of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets (clotting cells)
* The amount of hemoglobin bound to RBCs
* The proportion of the sample made up of red blood cells, called the hematocrit.
In patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the blood count often shows low hemoglobin (Hgb) levels and platelet (plt) counts, and WBC counts may be low or high.
**Blood and Urine Chemistry Tests**
This is an analysis of a blood sample to measure the levels of certain substances released by the body's organs and tissues into the bloodstream. Unusually high or low levels of these substances can help in diagnosing disease. In acute lymphoblastic leukemia, LDH and uric acid levels may be elevated.
**Peripheral Blood Smear**
Your doctor examines your blood sample under a microscope to look for changes in the shape of blood cells. This is very important in diagnosing acute leukemia. Your doctor can also determine the quantity, type of white blood cells, and platelet count.
In acute lymphoblastic leukemia, leukemia cells called "lymphoblasts" may be seen. The absence of these cells in a peripheral blood smear does not mean everything is normal.
**Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy**
Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy is a procedure to collect and examine bone marrow, a spongy tissue found in some of your larger bones. It is used to diagnose and monitor acute leukemia. A bone marrow biopsy and bone marrow aspiration are usually done at the same time.