‘Blood cancer is the third biggest cause of cancer death across Australia, claiming more lives each year than breast cancer or skin cancer,’ says Geoff Magrin, who has worked in haematology for four decades.

‘The five main categories are leukemia, lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), myeloproliferative disorder (MPD), and multiple myeloma.’

Blood tests

There are several blood tests that contribute to diagnosing blood cancer and rule out other conditions.

A Full Blood Examination (FBE) is a common lab test that measures the number of red cells, which contain haemoglobin to carry oxygen, white blood cells that fight infection, and platelets that protect from bleeding.

‘The results of a full blood count are compared to charts that list the normal range of numbers and ratios for each type of blood cell,’ explains Mr Magrin.

A result above or below the normal range may indicate an abnormality.

In addition, a “blood smear” (a thin blood film) is stained and examined under a microscope to highlight the appearance of the cells in order to classify them as normal or abnormal in amount and development.

Blood cancers are distinguished by the lack of normal cells, an excess of normal cells and /or the presence of cells with abnormal features, such as lymphoma cells or blasts in leukemia.

‘A chemistry panel is important to assess kidney and liver function, calcium levels, markers of cellular burden, and assess for the absence of normal protein or excess of abnormal proteins (such as abnormal antibodies) in the blood,’ Mr Magrin said. 

Bone marrow aspiration & trephine biopsy

Blood cancers commonly commence in or spread to the bone marrow. ‘A bone marrow biopsy is used to diagnose some blood cancer, and to work out the extent of other cancers,’ said Mr Magrin.

A fluid sample and a solid tissue piece (core) are taken in this procedure. These procedures and examination of the samples is undertaken by haematologists.

Lymph Node Biopsy

Lymphomas are often diagnosed after growth of tissue in lymph node sites: groin, neck, underarms, abdomen. Removal of a sample with a fine needle, a larger core biopsy, or by complete removal of a node can assist in determining the type and treatment of the disease. These samples are examined by Anatomical Pathologists.

Flow cytometry

Flow cytometry is a test that uses lasers and pattern analysis to identify cells based on their size, complexity and the presence or absence of molecules tagged on the surface or within the cell.

Genetic testing

Cytogenetic testing, also called karyotyping, determines any potential chromosomal abnormalities or mutations in blood cancer.

‘Two additional types of genetic tests are polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH).

‘Both PCR and FISH do not look at overall chromosomal changes but can be helpful in detecting specific, known genetic mutations,’ said Mr Magrin.

Pathology in Australia has the highest standards in the world and is a vital piece of the nation’s health infrastructure, helping not only diagnose cancers and informing the treatment.

The post How are blood cancers diagnosed? first appeared on Know Pathology Know Healthcare.

Multiple myeloma is a form of blood cancer that currently has no cure. It can be treated but the cancer will return – even with the most state-of-the-art treatment. The cancer targets plasma cells and then invades the bone marrow, where the cancerous plasma cells crowd out healthy blood cells. This in turn can lead to other serious health problems including kidney damage and increased likelihood of infection.

The research team, led by the university’s Carbone Cancer Centre but including another 14 cancer research centres, is hoping to change this by conducting the first large-scale trial of a ‘personalized vaccine’ to fight tumors.

The trial will use a patient’s own immune cells combined with their tumor cells to fight the cancer and stop it from recurring. Dr Natalie Callander, head of the trial at UW Carbone, said;

“We’re trying to train the immune system to be constantly surveying to identify and wipe out the re-emerging cancer cells.’’

The team will collect the cancer cells from participating patients and freeze them. Once the patient has undergone chemotherapy to reduce the cancer, their cancer cells will be fused with their own blood cells. The researchers hope that this will generate an immune response which can fight the tumor as quickly as it appears. Dr Callander added;

“This trial is taking personalized medicine to the next level, by making a vaccine from the patient’s own tumors.’’

For more details you can read Dr Callander’s full statement.

The post Personalized medicine on a whole new level for mutliple myeloma first appeared on Know Pathology Know Healthcare.