title: [Blast cells in peripheral blood smear].
abstract: Despite modern technologies such as immunophenotyping and molecular probing cytomorphological examination of stained peripheral blood smears by microscopy remains the mainstay of diagnosis in a large variety of diseases. Although technically simple morphological analysis requires considerable skill. Early diagnosis in several hematological diseases is important (for example acute promyelocytic leukaemia associated frequently with disseminated intravascular coagulation), in order to initiate adjusted therapy. Further, referral of the patient to tertiary care centers is only justified after a solid diagnosis is obtained. Many disorders can be diagnosed by pathognomonic blood smears. The present article is a short overview of important hematological disorders, which are associated with blast cells in the peripheral blood. Important morphological cell characteristics are illustrated by microscopic pictures.
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Labormedizin, Kantonsspital Aarau, Aarau.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Lüthi
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Huber
mesh_terms: D001752:Blast Crisis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D015473:Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests