Step-by-step diagnosis at MLL

Why step-by-step diagnosis? Cost-conscious diagnostics are a must. As MLL hematologists who, in general, have invariably spent a lot of time working in hospitals and outpatient clinics, we are particularly aware of this problem. It has thus always been our priority to provide you and your patients with a cost-effective procedure in the form of step-by-step diagnostics.

Definition: Step-by-step diagnosis at MLL

Step-by-step diagnosis at MLL means that further cytogenetic or molecular genetic examinations are only first carried out to characterize the disease or to rule out other possible differential diagnoses based on findings obtained through cytomorphology and/or immunophenotyping. This also helps to avoid unnecessary analyses. Standard guidelines or recommendations by professional associations are used here to provide clear orientation.

Upon request, our hematologists carry out an initial cytomorphological or flow cytometric assessment of all samples provided to MLL within just a few hours. The quick processing time makes it possible for us to initiate further diagnostics on the same day based on the findings and after we’ve consulted with you the sender. We believe it is essential to accelerate this procedure, especially since the quality of the test decreases significantly as the sample gets older, for example, in the case of a chromosome analysis.

Request of Step-by-step diagnosis at MLL

For the request of step-by-step diagnosis at MLL, all that is required of us to do this is a short handwritten note on the request form, such as “Continue as based on findings and/or after consultation,” but we can also take detailed instructions into account for the desired procedure. It should be noted, however, that certain examinations are also recommended to rule out a differential diagnosis, for example, by performing cytogenetics or molecular genetics in the event that there are any unclear cytopenias or the differential diagnosis of “myelodysplastic syndrome.”

Our request form, which can be downloaded at „request forms“ on our website, will soon also provide the option to select “step-by-step diagnostics.”

The author

»Do you have questions regarding this article or do you need further information? Please send me an e-mail.«

Dr. med. Christian Pohlkamp

Internist, Hematologist and Oncologist
Head of Cytomorphology
Head of Customer Care

T: +49 89 99017-150