Complete blood count (CBC) and cancer. What do you need to know?

A complete blood count, also known as blood morphology, is a test that gives general information of the current condition and overall health of your body. Therefore, it’s one of the most popular tests. It gives the possibility to detect many illnesses even at their very early stage. In case of many diseases an early detection gives the chance of full recovery. It also applies to cancer detection. That’s why it’s recommended to get a complete blood count regularly, at least once a year.

This test is also known for its low price and speed of obtaining results (usually in the first day after taking the sample). In order to get the sample, it is necessary to enter a vein in the arm. The test is safe, it is not associated with any side effects, lasts only a moment, and after it is done you can easily return to your daily routine.

Can a blood test detect cancer?

The morphology allows the detection of abnormal numbers of blood cells, which may suggest the presence of blood or immune system diseases. The morphology itself, apart from hematological neoplasms (hematopoietic and lymphatic system), is not able to clearly confirm or deny the cancer. Many blood parameters may be disturbed due to other diseases. The obtained result can be an excellent starting point for further, extended diagnostics including urinalysis, as well as other laboratory tests focused on specific parameters.

Do good blood results rule out cancer?

Can I Have Cancer and Good Blood Results? - this is a question that very often appears in the minds of people who suspect cancer. Good blood results on suspicion do not mean that it is not developing in our body. In this case, it will be necessary to perform further, more detailed tests. They will allow you to find the cause of the symptoms and make a good diagnosis.

What blood test detects cancer?

Since the blood count does not have to be the diagnosis, what blood test detects cancer? There is no single answer to this question. In order to get a more accurate picture of the state of the health the doctor may order further laboratory tests. They include, but are not limited to:

Proteinogram (serum protein electrophoresis)

This test is helpful in the diagnosis of hematological diseases and diseases related to liver and kidney disorders and inflammatory processes, as well as cancer. The proteinogram is the separation of serum proteins by electrophoresis. In this way, the ability of proteins to migrate in an electric field is used. As a result, 5 or 6 protein groups are obtained, which are then subjected to composition analysis.

Tumor markers

Tumor markers are substances such as proteins, enzymes, hormones, and also antigens that are produced by various tissues. Their presence in the body usually accompanies the appearance of cancer cells. In the case of tumor markers, a false-positive result is very rare, but the result does not 100% guarantee that oncogenesis does not actually take place. Conversely, a positive result of markers may also mean the development of other diseases. Moreover, some of the markers are specific to several cancers.

Examination of circulating tumor cells (CTC)

This test is performed by the so-called liquid biopsy, i.e. taking a blood sample to detect DNA from cancerous cells. It gets into the blood, e.g. as a result of apoptosis – cell death of a given tumor. This indicator allows the current status of the tumor to be determined and the effectiveness of the therapy to be controlled.

These tests are important not only for the detection of cancer, but also for the treatment itself, as they allow the effectiveness of the therapy to be assessed. These test are regularly repeated in people that are currently under the treatment or in remission.

To learn more about the tests that help diagnose cancer, check our article: Cancer prevention. What tests to perform?