Diagnosing Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) in Children
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a common type of childhood cancer that affects children under the age of 15. To diagnose AML in children, doctors use a combination of examinations, screening tests, and procedures. Specialists who may be involved in diagnosing AML in children include pediatric oncologists and hematologists.
Here are the examinations, screening tests, and procedures used to diagnose AML in children:
- Physical exam and health history: Doctors perform a physical exam to check for general signs of health and any unusual lumps or symptoms. They also take the child's health history, including past illnesses and treatments.
- Complete blood count (CBC): This procedure involves drawing a blood sample to check the number and type of blood cells. In AML, there is often an abnormal increase in immature white blood cells.
- Blood chemistry studies: A blood sample is checked to measure the levels of certain substances released into the blood by organs and tissues. Abnormal levels can indicate disease.
- Bone marrow biopsy: This procedure involves removing a sample of bone marrow from the hipbone using a needle. The sample is then examined under a microscope to look for leukemia cells.
- Lumbar puncture: Also known as a spinal tap, this procedure collects cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the spinal column. It helps determine if leukemia cells have spread to the brain and spinal cord.
To determine the type, severity, or stage of AML in children, additional examinations, tests, or procedures may be done:
- Genetic tests: These tests look for changes in genes or chromosomes that may cause or affect the development of AML. They can help plan treatment, assess treatment effectiveness, or provide a prognosis.
- Imaging tests: X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, or MRIs may be used to check for any spread of leukemia cells to other parts of the body.
- Flow cytometry: This test uses a special machine to examine each cell, find specific features, and figure out their percentage in the bone marrow.
The results from these examinations and tests help doctors confirm the diagnosis of AML in children and provide important information about factors such as age at diagnosis, race or ethnic group, presence of previous cancer treatment, and white blood cell count at diagnosis. These factors can affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.