Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ( All ) Panel - By Flow Cytometry

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is a type of blood cancer that affects white blood cells in the bone marrow. It is one of the most common types of blood cancer among children, which usually affects kids between 3 and 5 years of age. However, adults can be affected too. This condition occurs due to the alterations in immature lymphoid cells from either B or T lineage. 

Initial tests include a complete blood count to check the number of blood cells. The staging or advancement of the disease is easy to confirm by looking at the number of white blood cells. If the numbers are considerably high, then immediate steps are necessary to further testing.

Other tests include a coagulation profile that identifies the abnormalities related to blood clotting. One of the significant causes of death in ALL patients is thrombosis and bleeding. Hence, this test allows the specialist to understand the complications in the blood clotting process.

The primary test for acute lymphoblastic leukemia involves a morphological bone marrow assessment. The sample undergoes a flow cytometry assay which indicates the morphological and molecular features of the cells. 

These samples also help in immunophenotyping and carrying out cytogenetics studies. The main objective of an acute lymphoblastic leukemia test is to identify the stage of the disease, determine the treatment, and rule out other complications. 

Who Should Get Tested? 

If your blood sample contains a high number of abnormal white blood cells, it could be an indication of acute leukaemia.

An enlarged lymph node is one of the primary signs of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Some other common symptoms include weight loss, fatigue, fever, frequent infection, and red spots on the skin. If you experience these symptoms, you must undergo the acute lymphoblastic leukemia test. 
 

Medically reviewed by Dr. Praveen Kumar Garg, Surgical oncologist from Apollo Hospitals Indraprastha, South Delhi.

Frequently asked questions

What are the different stages of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)?

There is no standard pattern of the progression of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. However, analysing the white blood cell count through an Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) Panel – By Flow Cytometry Test can help determine the next course of action. In simple terms, this disease can be classified as untreated, in remission, recurrent, and refractory. With the advancement in the scientific domain, the survival rate of ALL patients is gradually increasing.

What are the different stages of leukaemia?

There are three standard stages in leukaemia progression. You can have a high WBC count with swollen lymph nodes in the first stage. In the next step, there can be an occurrence of anaemia. Finally, the last stage includes a high WBC count and anaemia. Hence, doctors can determine the potential stage through a comprehensive evaluation like the Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) Panel – By Flow Cytometry Test.

Which organs can have a significant impact due to leukaemia?

Leukaemia can significantly impact organs like lymph nodes, liver, central nervous system, and spleen. This fatal condition affects bone marrow from the onset and moves gradually in your blood. Hence, a timely diagnosis of this illness is crucial to deciding and initiating appropriate treatment. For this purpose, you should pay close attention to the common symptoms and consult the physician.

What do the CBC levels mean in a leukaemia panel test?

CBC levels in a medical assessment like Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) Panel test stand for a complete blood count. This count measures your bloodstream's red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelet levels. Higher values of white blood cells than the normal range can indicate the possibility of leukaemia.

Can a blood test miss the detection of leukaemia?

Early symptoms of this fatal condition can fail to change the WBC count in your body. As a result, it can be a bit challenging to detect leukaemia at a very initial phase. Still, you can discuss signs like bleeding, bruising, and unexplained pale skin with your doctor that might help detect this condition.