Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 9 views

    Asco Answers Blood Tests

    Uploaded by

    akshatvermagms
    A complete blood count (CBC) is a common blood test that evaluates the numbers of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Abnormal CBC results can help diagnose blood cancers and other conditions. The test measures white blood cell count and types, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet count. Certain cancers and treatments can lower blood cell counts and increase risks like infection or bleeding.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Asco Answers Blood Tests

    Uploaded by

    akshatvermagms
    9 views2 pages
    A complete blood count (CBC) is a common blood test that evaluates the numbers of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Abnormal CBC results can help diagnose blood cancers and other conditions. The test measures white blood cell count and types, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet count. Certain cancers and treatments can lower blood cell counts and increase risks like infection or bleeding.

    Original Description:

    Original Title

    asco_answers_blood_tests

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    A complete blood count (CBC) is a common blood test that evaluates the numbers of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Abnormal CBC results can help diagnose blood cancers and other conditions. The test measures white blood cell count and types, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet count. Certain cancers and treatments can lower blood cell counts and increase risks like infection or bleeding.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    9 views2 pages

    Asco Answers Blood Tests

    Uploaded by

    akshatvermagms
    A complete blood count (CBC) is a common blood test that evaluates the numbers of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Abnormal CBC results can help diagnose blood cancers and other conditions. The test measures white blood cell count and types, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet count. Certain cancers and treatments can lower blood cell counts and increase risks like infection or bleeding.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 2

    Understanding Complete Blood

    Count (CBC) Tests


    „ What is a complete blood count?
    A complete blood count (CBC) is a common blood test that evaluates the
    number of white blood cells (WBCs), red blood cells (RBCs), and platelets
    in the blood. CBC results can be used to help diagnose some types of
    blood cancer, find out if a cancer has spread to the bone marrow, see
    how a person’s body is reacting to cancer treatment, and diagnose other,
    noncancerous conditions.

    „ What is a white blood cell count?


    A WBC count, also called a leukocyte count, measures the number of WBCs
    in a sample of blood. WBCs protect the body from infection by attacking
    harmful bacteria, viruses, and other foreign materials in the body. In
    addition, some WBCs attack cancer cells. Some cancer treatments, mainly
    chemotherapy, may lower your body’s WBC count. Cancers that affect
    the blood and bone marrow, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple
    myeloma, may also lower the count.

    „ What is a white blood cell differential?


    A WBC differential is a test that measures the number of each type of WBC. There are 5 major types of WBCs: neutrophils, lymphocytes,
    monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. Each type of WBC plays a different role in fighting infection. People with some types of cancer may have
    higher or lower than normal numbers of lymphocytes or monocytes. In addition, cancers that affect the blood and bone marrow and some types
    of cancer treatment may lower the WBC count and absolute neutrophil count (ANC). These conditions may raise a person’s risk for neutropenia,
    which increases the chances of developing an infection.

    „ What is a red blood cell count?


    RBCs, also called erythrocytes, carry oxygen throughout the body. An RBC count, also called an erythrocyte count, measures the amount of RBCs
    in a sample of blood and is often used to diagnose anemia, which is an abnormally low level of RBCs. There are several ways to measure RBCs.
    One common measure is the level of hemoglobin (Hgb), an iron-containing protein in RBCs that carries oxygen. A value called the hematocrit (Hct)
    shows the percentage of your blood that is made up of RBCs. Some cancer treatments, mainly chemotherapy and radiation therapy, may lower
    your RBC count.

    „ What is a platelet count?


    Platelets, also called thrombocytes, stop bleeding by helping the blood clot and plugging damaged blood vessels. A platelet count measures
    the number of platelets in a sample of blood. Cancers that affect the blood and bone marrow and some types of cancer treatment, such as
    chemotherapy and radiation therapy, may lower the number of platelets. This condition is called thrombocytopenia, and it can increase the risk of
    serious bleeding or bruising.

    ASCO ANSWERS is a collection of oncologist-approved patient education materials developed by the


    American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) for people with cancer and their caregivers.
    Questions to ask the Words to know
    health care team
    Regular communication is important in making informed decisions about your health care. It can Anemia: An abnormally low level of red
    blood cells.
    be helpful to bring someone along to your appointments to take notes. Consider asking your
    health care team the following questions: Bone marrow: Soft, spongy tissue found
    inside larger bones.
    ` Does the cancer or my treatment put me at risk for developing side effects like neutropenia,
    anemia, or thrombocytopenia? Growth factors: Substances that help
    blood cells grow, divide, and mature.
    ` What blood tests should I have? And what will the results tell you about my health?
    ` How and where is this test done? Laboratory: A facility where medical
    tests are conducted and evaluated.
    ` Should I avoid eating and drinking before the test? If so, for how long?
    Nadir: Low point, often used in
    ` How will I know when my test results are in? reference to blood cell counts.
    ` What do the test results mean? Who will explain the test results to me?
    Neutropenia: An abnormally low level of
    ` If my results are within the normal range, what are the next steps? neutrophils.
    ` If my results are outside the normal range, what are the next steps? Pathologist: A doctor who specializes
    ` What are my treatment options if I have neutropenia, anemia, or thrombocytopenia? in interpreting laboratory tests and
    evaluating cells, tissues, and organs to
    ` How do these test results compare with my previous results? diagnose disease.
    ` Will I need additional tests? If so, when? Phlebotomist: A technician who collects
    ` If I have a question or problem, who should I call? blood samples for evaluation in a
    laboratory.

    Find more information about blood-related conditions at www.cancer.net/sideeffects. For a Reference range: A set of values
    digital list of questions, download Cancer.Net’s free mobile app at www.cancer.net/app. considered normal test results.

    Thrombocytopenia: An abnormally low


    level of platelets.

    This fact sheet was developed and is © 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology, Inc. (ASCO). All rights reserved worldwide. No sponsor was involved in the development of the
    content. The mention of any company, product, service, or therapy does not constitute an endorsement of any kind by ASCO or Conquer Cancer®, the ASCO Foundation. It is the
    responsibility of the treating physician or other health care provider, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine drug dosages and the best treatment
    for the patient. ASCO assumes no responsibility for any injury or damage to persons or property arising out of or related to any use of the fact sheet or any errors or omissions. Information
    in ASCO’s patient education materials is not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for medical advice. Patients with health care-related questions should call or see their physician
    or other health care provider promptly and should not disregard professional medical advice, or delay seeking it, because of information encountered here. ASCO believes that all
    treatment decisions should be made between patients and their doctors. Advances in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer occur regularly. For more information, visit
    Cancer.Net (www.cancer.net).

    Health Care Professionals: To order more printed copies, please call 888-273-3508 or visit www.cancer.net/estore.

    MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH

    AABT21
    AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY 2318 Mill Road, Suite 800, Alexandria, VA 22314
    Toll Free: 888-651-3038 | Phone: 571-483-1300 | www.asco.org | www.cancer.net | www.conquer.org
    © 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology. For permissions information, contact [email protected].

    You might also like