investigations

Last reviewed 01/2018

The following tests/procedures are carried out as the initial work up of a patient with AML:

Tests required to establish the diagnosis include:

  • complete blood counts and differential count
  • bone marrow aspirate - marrow blast count of 20% or more is required
  • immunophenotyping
  • cytogenetics

Additional tests/procedures which are carried out at diagnosis are:

  • demographics and medical history
  • performance status (ECOG/WHO score)
  • analysis of comorbidities
  • biochemistry - glucose, sodium, potassium, calcium, creatinine, aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, bilirubin, urea, total protein, uric acid
  • coagulation tests - prothrombin time (PTT), international normalized ratio (INR) if indicated, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT).
  • urine analysis - pH, glucose, erythrocytes, leukocytes, protein, nitrite.
  • serum pregnancy test - in women of childbearing age
  • hepatitis A, B, C; HIV-1 testing
  • chest x-ray, 12-lead ECG; echocardiography (if indicated)

Reference: