Laboratory results are an important part of understanding your diagnosis and managing your cancer care plan. At Texas Oncology, our team of providers is here to help you understand what your results mean and make informed decisions about your care.
Texas Oncology physicians may run routine lab tests to better understand your condition, including:
A CBC measures different components of the blood, such as levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, to screen for anemia, infections, and blood disorders. It can also aid in the diagnosis of blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma and help providers better understand how treatments like chemotherapy impact a patient’s blood cell counts. Here are some key measurements of your CBC to be on the lookout for:
Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) measures the number of specific infection-fighting white blood cells called neutrophils.
Erythrocytes are red blood cells.
Hematocrit (Hct) is the proportion of blood that consists only of red blood cells.
Hemoglobin (Hb) measures the amount of blood that contains iron and carries oxygen.
Platelets (Plt) are the cells that help form clots and stop bleeding.
A CMP is a blood test that measures 14 substances to assess organ function and fluid and electrolyte balance. In cancer care, CMPs can indicate organ damage or show signs of conditions like leukemia. Here are some key measurements of your CMP to be on the lookout for:
Alanine transaminase (ALT) is a liver enzyme released when the liver is damaged.
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is another enzyme that rises with liver injury.
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme found in the liver and bones.
Albumin is a protein made by the liver that helps keep fluid in your bloodstream.
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) measures waste filtered by the kidneys.
Creatinine is a waste product from muscles filtered by the kidneys.
Glucose is your blood sugar level.
Calcium is a mineral important for bones, muscles, and nerves.
Electrolytes like sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate help regulate fluid balance and nerve/muscle function.
Found in the blood, urine, or tissues, tumor markers are substances — often proteins — that may be elevated when cancer is present. Tumor marker tests are used to find out whether cancer has spread to other parts of the body, monitor a patient’s response to treatment, and check for recurrence.
Normal values for tumor marker tests will vary on the specific marker, smoking status, and individual patient factors like age. Consult your provider about any questions you may have about your tumor marker results.
NOTICE: Due to a change in Texas law (SB 922), reports from your scans and labs will typically appear in the patient portal three days after the results are finalized. This change is to let your care team have time to review the results and discuss them with you if needed.
