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ASH, College of American Pathologists issue guidelines to improve acute leukemia care
ASH and the College of American Pathologists released a guideline that identified 27 recommendations to improve the initial workup of acute leukemia.
The guideline is intended to help physicians and pathologists with diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia and mixed-phenotype acute leukemia.
“The laboratory testing to diagnose acute leukemia and inform treatment is increasingly complex, making this guideline essential,” Daniel A. Arber, MD, chairman of the department of pathology at University of Chicago School of Medicine and the CAP representative co-chair for the guideline, said in an ASH–issued press release. “New gene mutations and protein expressions have been described over the last decade in all types of acute leukemia, and many of them impact diagnosis or inform prognosis.”
The guideline — intended to ensure that each patient receives the most accurate diagnostic testing and subsequent care — addressed six key questions. They are:
- What clinical and laboratory information should be available?
- What samples and specimen types should be evaluated?
- What tests are required for all patients during the initial evaluation?
- What tests are required for only a subset of patients?
- Where should laboratory testing be performed?
- How should the results be reported?
The guideline authors noted the importance of joint efforts that underscore the cooperation that is necessary between treating clinicians and pathologists in the examination, diagnosis and care of this patient population.
The panel focused on communication guidelines to avoid unnecessary duplicative testing, while also identifying the best timing and setting for recommended tests to manage molecular testing.
“With its multidisciplinary perspective, this guideline reflects contemporary, integrated cancer care,” ASH guideline co-chair James W. Vardiman, MD, professor emeritus in the department of pathology at University of Chicago School of Medicine, said in the release. “Therefore, it will also help providers realize efficiencies in test management.” – by Kristie L. Kahl