Blood Smears

The pathologist is often involved in review of peripheral blood smears that are generated from the clinical laboratory. Review of a patient’s blood smear can be the key to diagnosis of certain infections, autoimmune processes or cancers involving the blood and bone marrow. The blood smear is usually reviewed initially by the clinical laboratory technologist and if they see any concerning findings, they will seek the consultation of a pathologist. The technologists and pathologists review of a patient’s blood smear is the first clue to a diagnosis of cancers of the bone marrow (leukemia). It is important for certain leukemias to be recognized in a timely fashion since prompt treatment regimens may be needed.