Posts Tagged ‘Chronic lymphocytic leukemia staging’
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia: Staging
After the diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, tests are done to determine the degree of spreading blood cancer and bone marrow. Staging is the process used to determine the extent of cancer spread. It is important to know the stage of the disease to plan the best treatment. The following tests may be used in the staging process:
- Bone marrow biopsy and aspiration: The removal of a small section of bone and marrow by inserting a needle into the hipbone or breastbone. A pathologist examines the sample to the microscope for abnormal cells.
- Ray: An x-ray of the organs and bones inside the chest. It is a type of energy beam that passes through the body and onto film, thereby generating a picture of areas inside the body, such as the lymph nodes.