Laboratory TestingA Laboratory test examines a sample of blood, urine, or other bodily fluid or tissue to get information about yourhealth.“Lab test can be used for the screening of cancer in a healthy individual. And then it can be used for thediagnosis of cancer. It can also be used for the staging of cancer. And then ultimately, once a patient has beendiagnosed, we can use it to monitor their response to treatment and also monitor for side effects from thetreatment.”- Stevie Otis, MD, Hematologist/OncologistOne common lab test is a Blood chemistry test, also known as a Metabolic Profile.“We can measure the level of protein in the blood, the level of glucose in the blood, the level of their electrolytes.This gives us an idea of whether they're having toxicity from their treatment, particularly kidney toxicity, livertoxicity.”- Stevie Otis, MD, Hematologist/OncologistAnother test you may get is a Complete Blood Count or CBC.“The CBC measures the number of blood cells including the red blood cells. Red blood cells are the cells thatcarry oxygen to your tissues. It will measure the white blood cells, which comprise your immune system. It alsomeasures the platelets, which play a role in blood clotting when there is tissue injury.”- Stevie Otis, MD,Hematologist/OncologistAmong other things, a CBC also measures Hemoglobin, which is the protein inside a red blood cell that carriesoxygen and Hematocrit, the percentage of blood volume that’s made up of red blood cells.“CBCs are important in monitoring bone marrow toxicity from the treatments that we give. So, we monitor it inevery cancer patient. A CBC can also be used to monitor disease status in patients who have blood cancers. So,particularly, Leukemias.”- Stevie Otis, MD, Hematologist/OncologistAnother key lab test is a Tumor Marker Test, which measures substances in tissue, blood, or other bodily fluids thatare produced by cancer or by other cells in response to cancer.“It gives us an idea of how aggressive the cancer is, how well the patient might respond to treatment. Tumormarkers, sometimes, are used for staging cancer. Tumor markers can also help guide our treatment choice.”Stevie Otis, MD, Hematologist/OncologistCommon tumor marker tests include the Prostate-specific Antigen, or PSA for Prostate cancer. Ca 15-3 for Breastcancer and CA-125 for Ovarian cancer.“We are finding more and more tumor markers every day that are helping us identify sub types within cancers.”Stevie Otis, MD, Hematologist/OncologistIn yet another kind of lab test called a Urinalysis, a sample of urine is analyzed for protein, blood cells, or otherPage 1 of 2This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCON1002198 EN LaboratoryTesting.pdf© The Wellness NetworkLaboratory Testingsubstances. Depending on which lab test your provider orders, you may be instructed not to eat or drinkbeforehand, or not to take certain medications. Results of lab tests are often reported along with what’s called aNormal range or a Reference range. Readings outside this range are flagged as abnormal. It’s possible forsomeone who’s healthy to have abnormal findings, while someone with cancer may have normal readings.That’s why it’s crucial to review lab test results with your provider.“Because the doctor taking care of them, who knows them, knows what disease they have, what the statusof that disease is, where they are in their treatment process, what other medical problems they have. All ofthese variables influence the lab result. And so, it's really important that their doctor help them interprettheir lab results because it has to be put into the context of the individual.”- Stevie Otis, MD,Hematologist/OncologistPage 2 of 2This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCON1002198 EN LaboratoryTesting.pdf© The Wellness Network
