When it comes to Leukemia, can they detect it on a regular blood test, even if they aren't looking for it?
822372
http://www.leukemia.org/hm_lls\nDiagnosis \nOnce the physician suspects that a patient's blood is abnormal, he or she will want to perform blood and bone marrow tests to rule out leukemia. Additional tissue samples may be needed to confirm the diagnosis or to help plan treatment. \n\nBlood Tests \nIn cases of questionable leukemia, a number of blood tests are performed. Such tests evaluate the type and quantity of blood cells that are present, the blood chemistry, and other factors. \n\nThe second link explains ALL the tests for leukemia.
212638
A lot of the tests depend on the type of cancer in your family history.  A lot of people believe it is hereditary.
757433
Well, first, it's a CBC (Complete Blood Count) and second, an elevated WBC count simply means that the body is reacting to a potential hazard by increasing the things that can best fight it off.\n\nAs far as what, that's for the MD to decide. I'm asuming that he has rulled out the most common causes, and from there he should "go od a list" of causes starting with the more common first. Not to alarm you, but it could be anything from a simple bug to leukemia, though it's likely to be something less serious if your child is otherwise ok.\n\nGood luck either way.
303407
I'm not a doctor. However, what i know is HIV cannot be ruled out without specific tests for HIV.\n\nAt the early stage of AIDS, there is no change in white blood cell (CD4 lymphocyte) count.(CD4 lymphocyte is a type of white blood cells that HIV attacks.). It is only when virus load reaches a certain limit and symptoms start appearing, then CD4 count will be decreased.\n\nEven when someone is infected with HIV, a period of about 3 months is required for the HIV detection test to turn positive. During this "window period", the anti-HIV antibody cannot be detected.
1076693
ACTUALLY , CBC TEST IS A (( ROUTINE INVESTIGATION )) NEITHER SPECIFIC, NOR SENSITIVE.\n\nIN CASES OF ONCOLOGY DISEASES ( CANCERS), CBC MIGHT HELP AS WE CALLED IN MEDICINE (( INCREASE SUSPPECION)), AND MIGHT HELP TO FOLLOW UP  THE DIAGNOSED CANCER,\n\nSOME READING IN THE CBC MIGHT INCRAESE PROPABILITY TO HAVE CANCER (( IN ADDITION TO THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS)) LIKE:\n\nWBC > 30,000 (( AS IN LEUKAEMIAS ))\nPLATETETS < 60 ( AS IN MYELODYSPLASTIC CANCERS).\nLOW HGB < 8gm% ( IN MOST CANCERS).\n\nSO , TO SUMMARIZE.....\n\nC,B,C HELPS TO DIAGNOSE AND FOLLOW UP CANCERS , BUT.\nC,B,C ((ALONE)) CAN NOT DIAGNOSE CANCERS..
934409
Not usually, they usually do that AFTER you are diagnosed.  Diabetes can be dx'd with a blood test, but once you have it, they want to check your urine for protein, since diabetics often have kidney issues.
276598
Military only tests when they suspect drugabuse and when folks enlist. They don't test hair and nails. They take blood and test all in one including aids and hepatitis and tetanus and a lot more. (Including drugs). And when they suspect that you use drugs they might "offer" you a urinscreening. That's very easy with a paper they put in and it can't be the wrong color or so. Hair and nails, like a hair from your butcrack that's been there forever is not a standard testing object.
231518
Leukemia - Types - oncologychannel  \n... lymphocytic leukemia. There are over a dozen different types of leukemia, but four types occur most ... These classifications are based upon whether the leukemia is acute versus chronic ...www.oncologychannel.com/leukemias/types.shtml - 58k - Cached - More from this site - Save\nM. D. Anderson Cancer Center - What is Leukemia  \nWhat is Leukemia? Leukemia is cancer of blood-forming tissue such as bone marrow. Types of leukemia are grouped by the type of cell affected and by the rate of cell growth. Leukemia is either acute or chronic. ... The types of leukemia tend to be linked with certain age groups ...mdanderson.org/departments/leukemia/dIndex.cfm?... - 57k - Cached - More from this site - Save\nInformation on Leukemia (symptoms, treatments) produced by medical doctor  \nLearn about Leukemia including possible causes, the types of leukemia, symptoms, how it is diagnosed, and treatment ... is leukemia? What are possible causes of leukemia? What are the types of leukemia? What are symptoms of leukemia ... In most types of leukemia, the abnormal cells are white blood ...www.medicinenet.com/leukemia/article.htm - 55k - Cached - More from this site - Save\nACS :: Leukemia Classifications  \n... is to provide an overview of the different types of leukemia: how they develop, whom they affect, and ... to understand the different types of leukemia, it is helpful to have ...cancer.org/docroot/CRI/.../CRI_2_6X_Leukemia_Classifications_24.asp - 46k - Cached - More from this site - Save\nThe Leukemia & Lymphoma Society : Disease Information - Leukemia Facts & Statistics  \nFighting leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma. ... Thus, the four major types of leukemia are: Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia ... The most common types of leukemia in adults are acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), with an estimated 11,960 new ...www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=9346 - 43k - Cached - More from this site - Save\nCancer Types - Overview of Leukemia  \n... Cancer Center index. Cancer Types - Overview of Leukemia. Alternative Therapy ... What are the different types of leukemia? There are four main types of leukemia, which can be further ...ymghealthinfo.org/content.asp?pageid=P07301 - 40k - Cached - More from this site - Save\nChildhood Cancer: Leukemia  \nThe term leukemia refers to cancers of the white blood cells (also called leukocytes or WBCs). When a child has leukemia, large numbers of abnormal white blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. ... and unpredictably, there is currently no effective way to prevent most types of leukemia ...kidshealth.org/parent/medical/cancer/cancer_leukemia.html - 29k - Cached - More from this site - Save\nLeukemia - Causes -Prevention - Symptoms - Treatment of Leukemia  \nThere are several types of leukemia, a cancer affecting blood cells. Each type of leukemia is studied and information about causes, symptoms, and treatment for leukemia is provided. ... Causes and Risk Factors for Leukemia. A look into the causes and risk factors for leukemia. There are several types of leukemia; this article encompasses ...cancer.about.com/od/leukemia - 21k - Cached - More from this site - Save
1166821
i work in the healthcare field, and to the best of my knowledge, an employer can ask you to take a physical. however, i am pretty sure there would not be any blood testing. ive never encountered one. regardless, you are protected by federal law against discrimination of any kind in employment, so  if they did find out, and terminated you, or used that as an excuse to hire you in the first place, youve got yourself one hell of a case if you choose to sue.
899194
If you have been in remission for this long, You are considered cured.(that was an answer for your other question) I also have never heard of a gene that you can pass on for leukaemia. The gene that mutates (if this is how your leukaemia came to be) would be normal again as your in remission. If it was defective you would still have the cancer.\nThis is my understanding of the cancer, my daughter had AML and had a defective gene at diagnosis, after having chemo, her cancer is gone and her defective gene normal again.\n\nThis however is a question for a genetic councillor to get an accurate and correct answer.
37337
This can be done by a blood test.
532688
Hello,\n\nNo in 95% plus of cases there is no hereditary predisposition to leukemia.  The one exception is with identical twins, if one twin gets leukemia, the other twin has a higher 'risk' of getting the same leukemia, but it's not a certainty that they will.\n\nThere are hereditary cancer syndromes,(one in particular is called Li-Fraumeni syndrome) where a particular genetic defect is passed from parent to child, and then that child when they grow up, on to their children; that are associated with a high incidence of all types of different cancers, leukemia included.  These fortunately are not very common.  There also other 'genetic/hereditary' conditions that are associated with a higher risk of getting cancer such as Down's, Wiskott Aldrich, Neurofibromatosis syndromes.\n\nYou may be confusing 'hereditary' with 'genetic'.  Cancer is a genetic disease, meaning that there are genetic changes that occur within some cell that then transform it into a cancer cell.  However, these transformations occur after the individual is born, and are usually just plain bad luck; meaning they didn't get it from their parents.\n\nHope this helps.\n\nJohn
120257
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal proliferation of blood cells, usually white blood cells called leukocytes. (Thus it's name)\n\nSome of the Symptoms are damage to the bone marrow resulting in a lack of blood platelets, which are important in the blood clotting process. Thus, people with leukemia may become bruised easily, bleed excessively, or develop Petechia. (broken capillaries, usually on the surface of the skin.) People with leukemia are also susceptible to infections. Furthermore, those suffering from Leukemia tend to develop anemia, which may cause shortness of breath and fatigue. Bone or joint pain may occur as the cancer spreads. \n\nThe exact cause of leukemia is unknown but is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Leukemias, like other cancers, result from somatic mutations in the DNA which activate oncogenes (a modified gene that increases the malignancy of a tumor cell) or inactivate tumour suppressor genes, and disrupt the regulation of cell death, differentiation or division. These mutations may occur spontaneously or as a result of exposure to radiation or carcinogenic substances (such as Alcoholic beverages , tobacco, Coal, some rubbers, Aluminium  and many others.) and are likely influenced by genetic factors.\n\nA Staph Infection, Staphylococcus aureus, is not cancer. That is not to say that it is not a serious illness. It can lead to many other illnesses that range from the annoying skin infections to life-threatening diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis and septicemia among others. Staph is a Bacteria, so it has no relation to cancer. I would recommend you keep taking your daughter to the doctor and do whatever s/he tells you to do. If she doesn’t get better in a week or so, take her to another doctor for a second opinion. \n\nOne note: If they tested her blood for Staph and they didn’t find cancer cells, then I wouldn't be too worried about Leukemia, however, I am NOT a doctor. \n\nI hope this helps.
959564
From what I understand, a biopsy is the only way to 100% confirm if it is cancer or not. I have had blood work done that said my cancer returned, PET scans and CT scans that said the same, but my biopsy came back negative. In a month, they re-tested my PET and CT, and they were back to normal. Anyway, good luck with all of your testing. I hope things turn out ok.
1079053
most doctors can tell just by looking at the type of rash you have.  But, if they cant they will probably take a blood sample
1069572
What is leukemia?\n\nLeukemia is cancer of the blood cells. Blood cells are made by your bone marrow, which is the soft tissue in the middle of most bones. In leukemia, the bone marrow starts making too many white blood cells, and sometimes these cells don't work right. These cells keep growing when they are supposed to stop. They also grow faster than your other cells. Over time, these abnormal cells crowd out your normal white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. \n\nYour white blood cells help your body fight infection. Your red blood cells make sure all your body parts have the oxygen they need. Your platelets keep you from bleeding too much. When the leukemia cells crowd out your normal cells, your blood cannot do its job. You may bleed or bruise easily, get sick more often, and feel very tired. \n\nAre there different types of leukemia?\n\nThere are four main types of leukemia. Acute leukemia gets worse very quickly. People with acute leukemia often feel sick right away. Chronic leukemia gets worse slowly, and you may not have any symptoms until later on in the illness. Those two kinds of leukemia are divided according to which kind of white blood cells are involved, lymphocytes or myelocytes.\n\nAcute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). ALL is the most common leukemia in children. Adults also get it. \nAcute myelogenous leukemia (AML). AML affects both children and adults. \nChronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). CLL is the most common leukemia in adults, especially older adults. Children almost never get it. It mostly affects people who are older than 55. \nChronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). CML occurs mostly in adults. \nWhat causes leukemia?\n\nExperts do not know what causes leukemia. They do not know why some people get it and others do not. It is likely that the different types of leukemia have different causes.\n\nResearch has shown that some people may be more likely to get leukemia. A risk factor is anything that raises your chance of getting a disease. Risk factors for leukemia include chemotherapy treatment, being exposed to large amounts of radiation or some chemicals in the workplace, and smoking and tobacco use.\n\nMost people who get leukemia do not have any risk factors.\n\nWhat are the symptoms?\n\nSymptoms may include:\n\nFevers and night sweats. \nFrequent infections. \nWeakness and fatigue. \nHeadaches. \nBruising of the skin and bleeding from the gums or rectum. \nJoint pain. \nSwelling in the belly or pain on the left side of the belly or in the left shoulder from a swollen spleen. \nSwollen lymph nodes in the armpit, neck, or groin. \nDecreased appetite and weight loss because you feel full and don't want to eat. \nThe chronic forms of leukemia often cause no symptoms at first.\n\nHow is leukemia diagnosed?\n\nIf your doctor thinks you might have leukemia, he or she will ask questions about your past and present symptoms, do a physical exam, and order blood tests.\n\nIf your blood tests are not normal, a test of cells from inside your bone marrow, called a bone marrow biopsy, is usually needed to diagnose leukemia.\n\nHow is it treated?\n\nTreatment depends on what kind of leukemia you have and how far along it is. Treatment can range from watchful waiting to a bone marrow transplant. Usually it includes chemotherapy and sometimes radiation treatments.\n\nFrequently Asked Questions\n\nLearning about leukemia: \n What is leukemia? \nWhat causes leukemia? \nHow can I prevent leukemia? \nWhat are the symptoms of leukemia? \nWhat increases my chances of getting leukemia? \nHow common is leukemia? \nWhat happens in leukemia? \n \nBeing diagnosed: \n How will my doctor diagnose leukemia? \nWhat is a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy? \n \nGetting treatment: \n How is leukemia treated? \nWhat type of medications will I need to take? \nWill I have to have radiation therapy? \nWhat is a bone marrow transplant? \n \nOngoing concerns: \n When should I call my doctor? \n \nLiving with leukemia: \n Wha
491013
yes and no,  since they don't test for it, it does not show up.  But if they looked for it , it would