CLL Diagnosis

Diagnosis. If chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is suspected, several tests may be administered by our physicians to determine whether lymph node swelling is caused by an infection or another condition. The patient will undergo a physical examination to determine overall health. Then a complete blood count (CBC) will be ordered to assess the function of major organs, the chemical makeup of the blood and/or the amount of hemoglobin (protein that carries oxygen) present in the blood. In addition to blood tests one or more of the following procedures may be prescribed:

• Cytogenetic Analysis. Cells in a sample of blood or bone marrow are viewed under a microscope to look for changes in the structure or number of chromosomes in the lymphocytes.
• Immunophenotyping. The cells in a sample of blood or bone marrow are studied under a microscope to see if malignant lymphocytes (cancer) began from the B lymphocytes or the T lymphocytes—two types of white blood cells.
• Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy. A small piece of bone and bone marrow are removed from the hipbone or breastbone through a needle. A pathologist views both the bone and bone marrow samples under a microscope to look for abnormal cells.

To schedule a consult with our team of oncologists, simply ask your primary care physician for a referral or make a self-referral by calling 1-877-LACKS-MI or 616-685-LACK(S).