Common laboratory tests require the collection of samples of blood (from a vein) or other biological products (urine, stool, phlegm).
To perform more complex laboratory examinations, collecting the biological product is more difficult and unpleasant for the child. In the case of these more painful procedures, local anesthesia is performed beforehand, and in the case of small children, in some situations, even general anesthesia can be used (that is, putting the child to sleep).
It is important to know that such
examinations allow a quick and accurate diagnosis of the type of cancer, which contributes to the establishment of a correct treatment scheme with maximum efficiency.
The most common such procedures are:
- Bone marrow harvesting (bone puncture)
Bone marrow is a blood tissue that is inside some of the bones (usually the broad bones – hip, sternum, etc.). To get to the bone marrow, a thicker needle is inserted into the sternum of the chest or the iliac bone of the hip, and a little of that tissue is extracted.
- Collection of cerebrospinal fluid (spinal puncture, called lumbar puncture)
Cerebrospinal fluid is the fluid that washes the spinal cord. To get to it, a fine needle is inserted between the vertebrae of the spine, through which a little of the fluid is extracted.
- Biopsy and histopathological examination
The histopathological examination is the microscopic analysis of some fragments of organs or tissues. These are collected by biopsy, performed either through a small surgical intervention, or by means of needles through which the respective fragment of organ or tissue is extracted.
- Other pricking procedures (punctures)
By which fluids that appear in unusual places (in the chest or abdominal cavity) are extracted.