Cytochemistry
Cytochemistry is another diagnostic test for leukemia. It works by examining how bone marrow cells occupy several stains. The results can help a doctor differentiate between acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphocytic leukemia. Some cytochemistry tests include:
– Flow cytometry: peripheral blood cells or bone marrow cells are covered with antibodies to discover some proteins on the surface of cancer cells. Light from a laser is used later to detect these proteins.
– Immunohistochemistry: this procedure detects the color of the proteins marked by the antibodies using a microscope.
– Immunophenotyping searches for unique proteins on cancer cells’ surfaces. [4]
