CD7 in Kanaka Durga Temple, Hyderabad

The CD7 test, as the name suggests, is used to gauge the CD7 levels in your bloodstream. CD7 is basically a glycoprotein that is found explicitly on both mature and immature T-cell Leukaemia and T-lymphocytes.

So, naturally, the CD7 test is used to detect the presence of T-Cell Lymphoma. This rare blood cancer originates in your Lymphocytes (type of white blood cells). It is a form of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and is further subdivided into various types, namely:

• Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma (CTCL)
• Angioimmunoblastic Lymphoma
• Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL)
• Precursor T-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma/Leukaemia
• Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma
• Lymphoblastic Lymphoma, etc.

Also, this rare WBC cancer is terminal once it progresses, so catching it early on is of the essence. Certain peculiar symptoms generally characterise the onset of T-Cell Lymphoma. To give you a basic idea, here are a few T-Cell Lymphoma symptoms you should watch out for:

• Fever
• Unexplained weight loss
• Itchy skin and rashes 
• Lump formations on your skin that eventually break open
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Fatigue 
• Rashes all over your body
• Chest pain 
• Pain in your abdomen and bones 
• Hair loss 
• Rough skin

The disease makes up for about 1% of all Lymphomas out there and is most common among young adults and teens. On top of that, males have more chances of contracting T-Cell Lymphoma than women.

The intensity of the disease will vary based on how much of your bone marrow has been affected. It generally originates from the Thymus and eventually grows into a giant tumour between your lungs. As a result, your face will swell up, and you will face difficulty breathing.

However, the cause for this tumour growth is still relatively unknown. All that is known about its origin is that cancer appears because of a certain mutation in your DNA. These mutated cells then multiply and spread throughout the body via the bloodstream.

In the case of cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma, these mutations will attack your skin. Furthermore, several risk factors can increase your chances of contracting cancer. The test uses a tissue sample, for instance, a sample from a swollen node, and is examined to determine the presence of T-Cell Lymphoma. Apollo 24|7’s CD7 test cost is quite reasonable, and you will receive the test results in just 72 hours.

If the test turns up positive, unfortunately, you have the deadly cancer in your bloodstream. The next step will be to determine what stage the cancer is in, which can be done using PET and CT scans. But you should know that this cancer is rarely detected in its advanced stages.