Labs
Blood tests and lab work are not unique to cancer patients, but they’re critical because they can indicate things
like how your body is handling treatment, whether you have vitamin/nutrient deficiencies, and some, called tumor
markers, may indicate if your body contains more or less disease. These are the blood tests you’ll be sent for
routinely both during cancer treatment and beyond the time of treatment during follow-up care.
Labs
Blood tests and lab work are not unique to cancer patients, but they’re critical because they can indicate things like how your body is handling treatment, whether you have vitamin/nutrient deficiencies, and some, called tumor markers, may indicate if your body contains more or less disease. These are the blood tests you’ll be sent for routinely both during cancer treatment and beyond the time of treatment during follow-up care.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Measures the number of white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin, and platelets in your blood. You will see these results from a CBC:
| Red blood cell count | The number of red blood cells in a given amount of blood. |
| Hemoglobin | The amount of hemoglobin (the oxygen carrying component) in your blood. |
| Hematocrit | The percentage by volume of your blood that is made from red blood cells. |
| White blood cell count | The number of white blood cells in a given amount of blood. |
| Platelets | The number of platelets in a given amount of blood. |
Additional numbers may be given that provide information about the different types of white blood cells found, the average size of your red blood cells and their hemoglobin concentrations, and average platelet size.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Measures the number of white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin, and platelets in your blood. You will see these results from a CBC:
| Red blood cell count | The number of red blood cells in a given amount of blood. |
| Hemoglobin | The amount of hemoglobin (the oxygen carrying component) in your blood. |
| Hematocrit | The percentage by volume of your blood that is made from red blood cells. |
| White blood cell count | The number of white blood cells in a given amount of blood. |
| Platelets | The number of platelets in a given amount of blood. |
Additional numbers may be given that provide information about the different types of white blood cells found, the average size of your red blood cells and their hemoglobin concentrations, and average platelet size.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Looks for metabolites, electrolytes, enzymes, and proteins. This can give your doctor information about your body’s fluid balance and how well your kidneys and liver are functioning. You will see these results from a CMP:
| ALT | This is a liver enzyme used to gain insight into your liver health. |
| Albumin | A protein in your blood used to gain information about your liver and kidney function. |
| ALP | Another enzyme, this may be used to examine the health of your liver. |
| AST | Another enzyme used to assess liver health. |
| Bilirubin | This is responsible for the yellow pigment of bile, elevated levels may indicate liver problems. |
| BUN | This helps to assess if your kidneys are functioning properly. |
| Calcium | An essential mineral in your body, high or low levels of which may indicate certain problems. |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) | A natural waste product of your body expelled by the lungs, high or low levels may indicate health problems. |
| Chloride | Another electrolyte found in the blood, abnormal levels may indicate dehydration or other medical problems. |
| Creatinine | This supplies energy to muscles, abnormal levels may indicate kidney function issues. |
| Glucose | Also known as blood sugar, abnormal levels may indicate diabetes or other problems. |
| Potassium | An important electrolyte in your blood, abnormal levels may indicate kidney function problems. |
| Sodium | A vital electrolyte, abnormal levels can indicate a variety of problems. |
| Total protein | Measures the two main proteins in your blood – albumin and globulins. Abnormal results may indicate liver or kidney problems. |
Note that lab levels can provide a wealth of information, but decisions about your treatment will consider the bigger picture of your unique situation, of which labs provide only some information.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Looks for metabolites, electrolytes, enzymes, and proteins. This can give your doctor information about your body’s fluid balance and how well your kidneys and liver are functioning. You will see these results from a CMP:
| ALT | This is a liver enzyme used to gain insight into your liver health. |
| Albumin | A protein in your blood used to gain information about your liver and kidney function. |
| ALP | Another enzyme, this may be used to examine the health of your liver. |
| AST | Another enzyme used to assess liver health. |
| Bilirubin | This is responsible for the yellow pigment of bile, elevated levels may indicate liver problems. |
| BUN | This helps to assess if your kidneys are functioning properly. |
| Calcium | An essential mineral in your body, high or low levels of which may indicate certain problems. |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) | A natural waste product of your body expelled by the lungs, high or low levels may indicate health problems. |
| Chloride | Another electrolyte found in the blood, abnormal levels may indicate dehydration or other medical problems. |
| Creatinine | This supplies energy to muscles, abnormal levels may indicate kidney function issues. |
| Glucose | Also known as blood sugar, abnormal levels may indicate diabetes or other problems. |
| Potassium | An important electrolyte in your blood, abnormal levels may indicate kidney function problems. |
| Sodium | A vital electrolyte, abnormal levels can indicate a variety of problems. |
| Total protein | Measures the two main proteins in your blood – albumin and globulins. Abnormal results may indicate liver or kidney problems. |
Note that lab levels can provide a wealth of information, but decisions about your treatment will consider the bigger picture of your unique situation, of which labs provide only some information.
Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)
A protein found in the blood of some, but not all, people with colorectal cancer, and it’s a tumor marker. For some people, the level of CEA in the blood is higher if they have more colorectal cancer cells in their bodies than what is considered typical. It can also be an indicator that the cancer is spreading to other organs if the CEA is rising over time, or that tumors are responding to treatment if the CEA is falling over time.
If a doctor is suspecting other tumors, they may add liver function tests and other panels like:
Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)
A protein found in the blood of some, but not all, people with colorectal cancer, and it’s a tumor marker. For some people, the level of CEA in the blood is higher if they have more colorectal cancer cells in their bodies than what is considered typical. It can also be an indicator that the cancer is spreading to other organs if the CEA is rising over time, or that tumors are responding to treatment if the CEA is falling over time.
If a doctor is suspecting other tumors, they may add liver function tests and other panels like:
Liquid Biopsies
Technological innovations have made it possible for doctors to get a biopsy without the invasive and painful needles. Blood can now be examined to determine if a patient has cancer.
By examining the blood for things like DNA, RNA and CTCs (circulating tumor cells), doctors can quickly get information about your cancer, like if it’s spreading, if it’s responding to treatment, and what it’s genetically made of. This era of precision medicine has led to biomarkers driving treatments and genetics unlocking information.
Liquid Biopsies
Technological innovations have made it possible for doctors to get a biopsy without the invasive and painful needles. Blood can now be examined to determine if a patient has cancer.
By examining the blood for things like DNA, RNA and CTCs (circulating tumor cells), doctors can quickly get information about your cancer, like if it’s spreading, if it’s responding to treatment, and what it’s genetically made of. This era of precision medicine has led to biomarkers driving treatments and genetics unlocking information.
Who gets the lab reports?
The doctor who ordered your labs (often a primary care physician and/or medical oncologist) will receive the lab report, but you can request a paper copy.
If your health system offers an online patient portal, your lab results are stored there as well, and you can access them at any time. This can help you stay informed about how your body is responding to treatments, but excessive monitoring of your labs can also induce anxiety. Be sure to discuss any lab results you’re concerned about with your care team before worrying.
Who gets the lab reports?
The doctor who ordered your labs (often a primary care physician and/or medical oncologist) will receive the lab report, but you can request a paper copy.
If your health system offers an online patient portal, your lab results are stored there as well, and you can access them at any time. This can help you stay informed about how your body is responding to treatments, but excessive monitoring of your labs can also induce anxiety. Be sure to discuss any lab results you’re concerned about with your care team before worrying.
What comes after labs?
Your health care providers will let you know if your numbers are normal and if not, what to do. Sometimes you’ll be sent for more lab tests, imaging tests, or be directed to take certain medications and/or supplements.
If you’re on treatment, your lab results may indicate its effect on your body and extra care you need.
What comes after labs?
Your health care providers will let you know if your numbers are normal and if not, what to do. Sometimes you’ll be sent for more lab tests, imaging tests, or be directed to take certain medications and/or supplements.
If you’re on treatment, your lab results may indicate its effect on your body and extra care you need.
How often do you get labs?
If you’re in the hospital, blood is often taken every day.
Liquid biopsy for biomarker testing should be performed before treatment begins.
If you’re receiving chemotherapy drugs, a lab draw is usually required before each IV infusion.
In follow-up care, labs are usually drawn around the time of each appointment.
How often do you get labs?
If you’re in the hospital, blood is often taken every day.
Liquid biopsy for biomarker testing should be performed before treatment begins.
If you’re receiving chemotherapy drugs, a lab draw is usually required before each IV infusion.
In follow-up care, labs are usually drawn around the time of each appointment.
