Cell Markers

Using samples from your blood and bone marrow tests, the pathology department should also carry out special tests (called immunophenotyping) on the lymphocytes found in the samples. These tests look for special proteins (antigens), known as markers, on the surface of the cells. Different types of cancer cells have their own special sets of markers.^3,8-10

Some pathology departments also carry out cytogenetic testing, such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) tests, where they look for any changes to the chromosomes in the lymphocytes. These help to ensure an accurate diagnosis and give an idea of how fast the disease is likely to progress.^4,8-10

Typical markers on a B-CLL cell^10,13

Together, your blood and bone marrow tests are used to show^3,8-10:

• Whether the lymphocytes are associated with CLL
• Whether the lymphocytes involved are type B (most common), T, or NK. T-cell type CLL, although more rare, progresses more rapidly than B-cell type and more often affects the skin, nerves, and lymph nodes
• Whether you have anemia or thrombocytopenia
• What effect the disease is having on levels of gamma globulins, the antibodies produced by the B cells that are important in fighting infection