Leukemia diagnosis

Receiving a leukemia diagnosis can be difficult and life-altering. Advocate Health Care is here to help you through this moment. We treat every person as an individual with specific needs with a priority on getting you the answers you need, so you can make the best decisions for your health in partnership with your provider.

What is leukemia and how is it diagnosed?

Leukemia is a blood cancer that forms in the bone marrow. Normally, your bone marrow makes cells which develop into white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. When you have leukemia, your bone marrow will reproduce an abnormal amount of blood cells, most commonly white blood cells which help your body fight infections. The cancer moves through the blood to other organs in the body, causing different problems depending on which organs are involved.

Chronic leukemia is often found in a routine blood test before symptoms begin. If this happens, or if you have signs or symptoms that suggest leukemia, such as frequent, easy bruising or petechiae rashes (tiny red spots), your provider may recommend running some diagnostic tests.

What are the first signs that might suggest leukemia?

Signs of leukemia can take a variety of forms depending on the type. However, there are some common signs and symptoms. These can include:

• Frequent bruising or bleeding
• Petechiae (tiny red spots under the skin that resemble a rash)
• Fatigue
• Night sweats or fever
• Extreme weight loss

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, especially if they’re persistent, it’s a good idea to talk with your primary care provider.

Testing for leukemia

Depending on your symptoms, your doctor might approach your leukemia diagnosis with a series of tests. These can include:

Physical exam

Your doctor will look for physical signs of leukemia, such as pale skin from anemia, swelling of your lymph nodes, bruises, petechiae (tiny red spots on the skin) and enlargement of your liver and spleen.

Blood tests

By looking at a sample of your blood, your doctor can determine if you have abnormal levels of red or white blood cells or platelets – which may suggest leukemia. Typically, your provider will start by running a complete blood count (CBC) and then move on to additional blood cell tests if needed.

Bone marrow biopsy

Your doctor may recommend a procedure to remove a sample of bone marrow from your hip bone to test for leukemia. The bone marrow is removed using a long, thin needle. The sample is sent to a lab to look for leukemia cells. Specialized tests of leukemia cells may reveal certain characteristics that are used to determine your treatment options.

Additional tests for leukemia

Once your provider has a confirmed diagnosis of leukemia, they might order additional tests to check if the cancer has spread. These tests can include:

Imaging and other tests

Your provider may order chest X-rays, CT scans or MRI scans if your symptoms indicate that the leukemia has affected your bones, organs and tissues.

Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)

If your provider thinks leukemia has spread to your spinal fluid, they may use a spinal tap to test the spinal fluid for signs of cancer and to see if it has spread to your spinal cord or brain.

Treatments for leukemia

After your provider performs these tests and determines your specific type of leukemia, they’ll work with you to create a personalized treatment plan. Learn more about our leukemia treatments.

Getting a second opinion on your leukemia diagnosis

Upon receiving a cancer diagnosis, it’s not uncommon to get a second opinion. In fact, it’s encouraged.

Why get a second opinion?

• Confirm a diagnosis.
• Review your treatment plan to make sure it meets your needs and goals.
• Explore alternate options to make sure your plan is the best for you.
• Explore the latest and most advanced treatments, including clinical trials.

The Advocate Cancer Institute has an extensive team of surgical, medical and radiation oncologists that can help you with your current leukemia diagnosis and provide you with the expertise you need to take the next steps on your treatment journey.