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Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
1Department of Pathology and Laboratories, Miami Children's Hospital, Florida, USA. steve.melnick@mch.com
Clinics in Laboratory Medicine
|July 14, 1999
Summary
This review covers laboratory methods for diagnosing childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Key techniques like morphology, flow cytometry, and molecular diagnostics aid in diagnosis and prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Hematology
- Laboratory Medicine
Background:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a common childhood cancer.
- Accurate diagnosis and prognosis are crucial for effective treatment planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review laboratory methodologies for evaluating pediatric ALL.
- To highlight the role of these methods in diagnosis and prognosis.
- To describe immunophenotypic classifications and morphology-independent diagnostic criteria.
Main Methods:
- Morphological examination of blood and bone marrow smears.
- Flow cytometry for immunophenotypic analysis.
- Cytogenetic analysis for chromosomal abnormalities.
- Molecular diagnostics for gene mutations and translocations.
Main Results:
- Morphology, flow cytometry, cytogenetics, and molecular diagnostics are essential for ALL evaluation.
- Immunophenotypic classification aids in subtyping ALL.
- Specific criteria allow for ALL diagnosis even without clear morphological evidence.
Conclusions:
- A combination of laboratory techniques is vital for comprehensive pediatric ALL assessment.
- These methods are indispensable for accurate diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment stratification.
- Advances in molecular diagnostics continue to refine ALL classification and management.