Do you make diagnostic lumbar puncture part of routine work up for newly diagnosed AML if patient is asymptomatic?
Does presenting total white blood cell count affect your decision? Does myeloid subtype affect your decision?
Answer from: Medical Oncologist at Academic Institution
Unlike acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), central nervous system (CNS) involvement by acute myeloid leukemia (AML) occurs in less than 5% of patients at the time of diagnosis. Therefore, routine lumbar puncture is not recommended for asymptomatic patients. Certain clinical and biological features h...