Blood and Marrow Transplant Tests at University of Colorado Hospital

Blood and Marrow Transplant patients may receive the following tests during their transplant process:

Blood test

An analysis of a sample of blood to check a patient’s blood count, blood and tissue type, blood chemistries, immune system function and certain infectious diseases.

Bone marrow aspiration and Bone marrow biopsy

In addition to routine microscopic examination, we test for factors involved in caring for your particular blood cancer, using state-of-the-art laboratory tests/procedures.

Bone marrow aspiration – a test that shows the cell-type and certain abnormalities by looking at proteins on the cell’s surface. A sample of fluid and cells are removed from the marrow through a special needle. The sample is usually taken from a patient’s hip bone.

Bone marrow biopsy – shows chromosome and gene abnormalities and how much disease is in the marrow. It is done by removing a very small amount of bone filled with marrow cells. The sample is usually taken from the patient’s hip bone.

Laboratory tests/procedures:

Cytogenetic analysis – The examination of the chromosomes of cells to give doctors information about how to treat patients

FISH test – Flourescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a test used to check for chromosome abnormalities

Immnophenotyping – A test used to find out if the patient’s plasma cells are specific cancer cells

A pheresis – The process of removing a donor’s blood to remove a specific component and return the remaining parts to the donor.

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

A technique for imaging body tissues and organs. X-ray transmissions are changed into detailed images using a computer.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

An imaging technique that provides detailed images of body structures. It uses a magnetic field instead of the X-rays used in a CT scan.

PET scan (positron emission tomography)

An imaging test used most often to detect cancer and to examine the effects of cancer therapy. Patients are injected with a radioactive substance before undergoing the scan. Cancerous tissue will accumulate more of the substance and appear brighter than normal tissue on the PET images.