Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ( CLL ) Panel (Fish + Karyotyping)

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia, or CLL, is a type of cancer in which your body produces an excess of abnormal WBCs or Lymphocytes. The term chronic also points to the fact that this ailment gets worse with time. Hence, it is vital to detect this cancer at its early stages to take effective measures to fight it.

This is where the Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia Panel Test comes into the picture. If you start showing the various symptoms of CLL, you must book a CLL Karyotyping Panel test. These symptoms include:

• Swollen lymph nodes
• Weakness
• Easy bleeding or bruising 
• Pain below ribs 
• Fever
• Infection
• Weight loss
• Night sweats

The Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia Panel Test utilised a bone marrow sample to determine the presence of CLL in your body. This sample is extracted in two ways. First, a bone marrow aspiration is conducted. Here, you are required to lie on a table on your side. The general hip area is numbed, and then a marrow sample is extracted with the help of a long thin needle.

This is then followed by a bone marrow biopsy, in which a piece of the marrow is extracted with the help of a large needle. The contact area is numbed, and the needle is then pushed down and twisted to get a proper sample.

Although this area is numbed, you might experience discomfort in the form of tugging or pressure. Once this is done, pressure must be applied on the sample collection spot to prevent bleeding.

The Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia Panel Test consists of a single test, which is further divided into two parts. Firstly, the test includes a CLL Fish Panel (Fluorescence in situ hybridization).

This test is used to detect the presence of small genomic changes such as tumours or haematological malignancies. It highlights these anomalies by leveraging special fluorescent dye. This dye sticks onto only specific parts of certain chromosomes. The Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia Panel Test requires a bone marrow aspirate specimen in a sodium heparin tube.

The second part of the test includes a CLL Karyotyping Panel, which again uses a bone marrow sample to determine the presence of genetic diseases or disorders. The Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia Panel cost includes everything from sample collection to the reports. Once the test is done and the samples have been extracted, the reports are made available within 17 days.

To make things clearer for you, here are some reasons you must opt for a  Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia Panel:

• Allows you to detect CLL in its initial stages. 
• Helps monitor Lymphocyte levels during ongoing CLL treatments (e.g., radiation therapy, chemotherapy, etc.)
• Helps in immunotherapy.