Question
Why is chromosome and genetic testing even done for leukemia? Is it necessary, and why?
Answer
Hello: Leukemia is a malignant disease of the hematopoietic tissue, also known as “blood cancer.” It is a type of malignant clonal disease of hematopoietic stem cells. It leads to a decrease in hemoglobin and platelet counts. The total white blood cell count varies, generally between 20.0 to 50.0×10^9/L, with some cases exceeding 100×10^9 or below 10.0×10^9/L. More than half of the patients have a large number (sometimes up to 90%) of abnormal primitive white blood cells in their peripheral blood. Blood cell chemical staining methods can determine the type of acute leukemia, with about 45% of cases having chromosomal abnormalities, including monosomy, hyperdiploidy, and various marker chromosomes. Bone marrow activity is increased, significantly active or extremely active, primarily composed of leukemia cells. When the blood and bone marrow images are insufficient to confirm acute leukemia, lymph node puncture fluid smears and specific skin lesion impression smears can be used to detect corresponding leukemic cell aggregates combined with pathological impression smears, which aid in diagnosis.