Tests for CLL

Blood tests

Tests carried out on your blood may include:

• Immunophenotyping – shows which types of white blood cells are abnormal.
• Cytogenetic testing – looks at the chromosomes in the leukaemia cells. Chromosomes are made up of genes and control the activity of the cell. There are often changes (mutations) in the chromosomes of CLL cells. Knowing what these changes are helps doctors to predict how the CLL may behave and to plan your treatment.
• Antibody testing – checks the levels of antibodies you have in your blood for fighting infection. CLL cells may also make antibodies that damage your red blood cells. A blood test may be done to check for them.

Chest x-ray

This may be used to check that your lungs are healthy.

CT (computerised tomography) scan

This is sometimes done to check how many lymph nodes are affected by CLL and to see whether the spleen is enlarged.

A CT scan takes a series of x-rays, which builds up a three-dimensional picture of the inside of the body. The scan takes 10–30 minutes and is painless.

You’ll probably be able to go home as soon as the scan is over.

Lymph node biopsy

This test isn’t usually needed, but some people may have an enlarged lymph node removed so that it can be examined under a microscope. This may be done under a local or general anaesthetic. It’s a small operation, during which the node is removed and sent to the laboratory. Most people can go home on the same day. Afterwards, you’ll have a small wound with a few stitches. The stitches are usually taken out after about 7–10 days.

Bone marrow biopsy

Some people may have this test to check how much CLL is in their bone marrow. A small sample (biopsy) of bone marrow is taken from the hip bone. This is usually done under a local anaesthetic in the outpatient department and takes about 10 minutes. It can feel quite uncomfortable but you can take painkillers if you need to.

 

 

It will probably take several days for your test results to be ready. This waiting period can be an anxious time, so it may help if you can talk things over with a relative or close friend, or a support organisation|.

You can also contact a Macmillan cancer support specialist|.