How is acute lymphocytic leukemia diagnosed?
In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for acute lymphocytic leukemia may include the following: • additional blood tests and other evaluation procedures • bone marrow aspiration and biopsy – marrow may be removed by aspiration or a needle biopsy under local anesthesia. In aspiration biopsy, a fluid specimen is removed from the bone marrow. In a needle biopsy, marrow cells (not fluid) are removed. These methods are often used together. • spinal tap/lumbar puncture – a special needle is placed into the lower back, into the spinal canal. This is the area around the spinal cord. The pressure in the spinal canal and brain can then be measured. A small amount of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) can be removed and sent for testing to determine if there is an infection or other problems. CSF is the fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord.
