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Your search term(s) "Diagnostic Tests" returned 58 results.

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Myeloma. White Plains, NY: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 2005. 33 p.

Myeloma is a cancer of B lymphocyte-forming plasma cells that usually starts in the bone marrow. Myeloma involving multiple marrow sites is the most common way in which the disease appears. This booklet provides information about myeloma for patients and their families. The booklet first describes normal blood and marrow and then provides a description of myeloma and its treatment. Topics include the history of myeloma, types of myeloma, populations at risk, onset of the disease, clinical findings, symptoms and signs, diagnostic approaches, complications, treatment options, other related diseases, questions to ask the physician, and coping strategies and psychosocial issues for patients and families experiencing myeloma. The booklet includes a glossary of terms and a list of resources for more information, as well as a description of the goals and activities of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The booklet is illustrated with black-and-white photographs of a variety of patients. 6 figures. 3 tables. 11 references.

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Myeloma: A Guide for Patients and Families. White Plains, NY: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 2005. 29 p.

Myeloma is a cancer of new plasma cells, which are part of the body’s immune system. Myeloma starts in the bone marrow, where blood cells are made. This booklet provides information about myeloma for patients and their families. The booklet first describes the symptoms and signs of myeloma, as well as the incidence of the disease in certain groups. The most common form of myeloma is found many places in the body (multiple myeloma). The booklet covers the diagnostic tests done to confirm the condition, including a bone marrow biopsy and imaging tests; complications of myeloma, including infections, bone pain, kidney problems, and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML); a classification system used to stage the disease; treatment options, including chemotherapy, drugs to increase red cells, radiation therapy, and stem cell transplant; side effects of treatments; monitoring tests to see how the treatment is working; responses to treatment; the role of a myeloma specialist; and questions to ask the health care provider. The booklet includes a glossary of terms and a list of resources for more information, as well as a description of the goals and activities of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The booklet is illustrated with black-and-white photographs of a variety of patients. 3 figures. 3 tables.

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Neurovisceral Porphyrias: What a Hematologist Needs to Know. IN: Hematology 2005. Washington, DC: American Society of Hematology. 2005. pp. 24-30.

This article reviews the neurovisceral porphyrias, disorders characterized by a deficiency of a specific enzyme involved in heme-the iron-containing part of the hemoglobin molecule—synthesis. The author reviews four inherited disorders, all classified as acute or inducible hepatic porphyrias. These disorders usually remain asymptomatic for most of the lifespan of the individuals who inherit the specific enzyme deficiencies, but may cause life-threatening attacks of neurovisceral symptoms. The four disorders are: ALA dehydratase deficiency porphyria, acute intermittent porphyria, hereditary coporphyria, and variegate porphyria. Other conditions that clinically and biochemically may mimic acute porphyria include lead poisoning and hereditary tyrosinemia type 1. The author encourages clinicians to maintain a health index of suspicion for these conditions, particularly in patients with otherwise unexplained abdominal pain, severe constipation, systemic arterial hypertension, or other characteristic symptoms. Critical to the rapid diagnosis of the three most common of these disorders is demonstration of markedly increased urinary porphobilinogen (PBG) in a single-void urine specimen. The treatment for all but mild attacks of the acute porphyrias is intravenous hemin therapy. 2 figures. 4 tables. 16 references.

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Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. White Plains, NY: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 2004. 36 p.

Acute leukemia is a rapidly progressing disease that affects cells that are unformed or primitive. Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) results from an acquired genetic damage to the DNA of developing cells in the bone marrow. The effects are the uncontrolled, exaggerated growth and accumulation of cells that fail to function as normal blood cells, and the blockade of the production of normal marrow cells, leading to a deficiency of red cells (anemia), platelets (thrombocytopenia), and normal white cells (neutropenia) in the blood. This booklet provides information about AML for patients and their families. The booklet describes the normal blood, marrow, and lymphatic system and then outlines the symptoms and signs of AML. The booklet covers the causes and risk factors of AML, diagnostic approaches, the subtypes of AML, treatment options, the side effects of treatment and how they can be managed, refractory leukemia, relapsed leukemia, and coping strategies and psychosocial issues for patients and families experiencing CML. The booklet includes a glossary of terms and a list of resources for more information, as well as a description of the goals and activities of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 3 figures. 3 tables.

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Lab Investigation of the Porphyrias. Canadian Porphyria Foundation National Newsletter. p. 2, 6. Winter 2004.

This article, from a newsletter for people with porphyria, discusses laboratory tests used to investigate the porphyrias. The term porphyria refers to a group of conditions resulting from defects in heme biosynthesis. Heme is the iron-containing ring structure in hemoglobin to which oxygen binds. Hemoglobin is found in the red blood cells, resulting in a means to transport oxygen to various organs and cells of the body. The author discusses the differences between acute and non-acute porphyrias, the symptoms of each, the sample types that are used in the laboratory, and how they are each analyzed. The acute porphyrias are characterized by the accumulation of the porphyrin precursors, PBG and ALA, that are almost exclusively measured in the urine. Urine collected over a 24-hour period is the best indication of overall excretion. Specimens must be preserved by refrigeration. Some laboratory physicians advocate the measurement of porphyrins in blood, as an aid to diagnosis. For the diagnosis of erythropoietic protoporphyria, blood is used. Stool specimens are of use not for diagnosis, but to distinguish among the types of porphyrias, particularly the coproporphyrias. One table summarizes the classification of the porphyrias, their symptoms, and the use of blood, urine, or stool testing. 1 table.

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What You Need to Know About Anemia and Chronic Kidney Disease. New York, NY: National Kidney Foundation. 2004. 8 p.

Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to other organs and tissues, providing energy for daily activities. Anemia occurs when the red blood cells are in short supply. Chronic kidney disease may cause anemia because of a low level of the hormone called erythropoietin (EPO), which stimulates red blood cell production. This brochure helps readers understand the occurrence of anemia in people with CKD. Topics include the symptoms of anemia, the cause of anemia, why CKD causes anemia, diagnostic tests used to confirm and monitor anemia, treatment options, the role of dietary supplements, medical nutrition therapy, and problems associated with untreated anemia. The brochure concludes with a summary of the key points presented and a brief list of related publications available from the National Kidney Foundation. One sidebar helps readers prepare to meet with their physician about a potential anemia problem.

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Understanding Your Complete Blood Count. Rockville, MD: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center. 2000. 9 p.

The complete blood count (CBC) is a common blood test that provides detailed information about three types of cells in the blood: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This fact sheet, written in a question-and-answer format, provides basic information about the CBC. Topics include the five major measurements of the CBC (white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelets), the normal ranges of these measurements, the differential (which measures each of the five types of white blood cells), neutrophils, the absolute neutrophil count, how to manage neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and common aspirin-containing products (by brand name). The fact sheet offers practical details about daily care, including infection prevention and hygiene, for readers diagnosed with low blood counts. Guidelines for when to contact a health care provider are noted. The fact sheet is available in Spanish. 4 figures.

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Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemias. White Plains, NY: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 2002. 4p.

Chronic myelomonocytic leukemias (CMML) include two types: an adult type (CML) and a form of childhood leukemia called juvenile MML or juvenile chronic myelogenous leukemia (JCML). This fact sheet reviews the similarities and differences between these diseases. For each type, the authors provide a brief overview of symptoms, diagnostic tests used to confirm the disease, natural course, prognosis, and treatment strategies. Adult type CMML may have findings that are similar to typical chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) including anemia, high white cell count, and enlargement of the spleen. However, the cells do not contain the Ph chromosome, or BCR-ABL oncogene, that characterize CML. The age and general health of the patient are factors when determining the intensity of CMML treatment. Current treatment rarely leads to durable remissions, so patients are encouraged to participate in clinical trials. JMML occurs most often in infants and children under four years of age; blood cell and bone marrow findings are similar in some respects to adult CMML. About 10 percent of patients with JMML also have type 1 neurofibromatosis. JMML is resistant to chemotherapy; improvement in survival can occur after stem cell transplantation from a compatible sibling, but a cure is uncommon. The median survival of patients with the juvenile form of the disease is usually less than two years. The fact sheet concludes with the contact information for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, through which readers can find additional information, including about how to participate in appropriate clinical trials. 3 references.

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