Key Takeaways

• A Complete Blood Count (CBC) test evaluates the number and/or quantity of blood elements.
• A CBC may show raised or lower values of leukocyte, hemoglobin, or platelet levels. However, this type of abnormality is still generic, as it can result from other illnesses in addition to skin cancer.
• Skin cancer is commonly diagnosed by the joint efforts of a skin cancer examining, visually examining the skin with dermatoscopes, and taking biopsy samples.
• CBC tests may not be useful to make a diagnosis of skin cancer, but there is ongoing research on some blood testing and particular biomarkers that could be useful in diagnosing skin cancers.

Complete Blood Count (CBC) tests are basic tests performed in healthcare facilities that assess different parameters such as the number of red blood cells, white cells, hemoglobin level, and platelets. These tests are important for the evaluation of health and diagnosing different diseases, including but not limited to, infections and anemia. Such tests, however, are limited in detecting skin cancer.

What are the types of skin cancer?

Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs on the skin cells, emanating from damage in the DNA. This includes melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Skin cancer prognosis and overall outcome are heavily dependent upon the promptness of the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of the disease, which is accomplished through visual examinations, biopsies, and some sophisticated tests.

Can a CBC blood test detect skin cancer?

Even though a CBC test does not diagnose cancer per se, there are situations where a blood sample might help indicate a problem. One example is that skin cancer may influence the human body and hence the blood cell counts in it:

• White blood cell count (WBC): In some instances of skin cancer, an increase in white blood cells may result from an infection or inflammatory process if the skin cancer has advanced or metastasized. Still, this is a non-specific finding and is not just seen in cancer alone.
• Anemia (low Hb): Some advanced cancers, particularly metastatic melanoma, is associated with the development of anemia due to increased activity levels of the body, hemorrhage, or marrow infiltration.
• Platelet Count: High numbers of platelets may occasionally lead to cancers, but this does not apply only to skin cancers.

Even with these associations in mind, abnormalities in full blood count are not dependable tools in diagnosing skin cancer. When there is a suspicion of skin cancer, more precise diagnostic measures are required.

Skin Cancer Testing and Diagnosis: How is Skin Cancer Diagnosed?

• Skin examination: The majority of dermatologists have undergone training to understand abnormal lesions, moles, and skin changes that could be minor signs of cancer. This assessment is generally the first in terms of diagnosis for suspected cancer of the skin.
• Dermatoscopy is an instrument that helps in enhancing and brightening the skin to enable a good view of mottling or lesions on the skin.
• Biopsy: Based on the clinical observations, in case of a suspicion, a skin biopsy can be sought. This means that a small piece of skin will be taken for further lab tests in search of cancer.
• Imaging Tests: If there is a reason to suspect that the skin cancer has extended beyond the skin tissue, additional imaging tests may be performed, including CT, MRI, or PET scans, to determine whether metastasis is involved.
• Molecular Tests and Blood Markers: As the disease progresses to the more advanced stages, a few blood markers or sometimes molecular tests may be done for melanoma or the progression of the disease. These, however, are a bit too distinct as compared to a typical CBC.

What is the Future of Blood Tests in Skin Cancer Detection?

Even though a normal CBC cannot be used to rule out the presence of skin cancers, there is still hope due to various studies being carried out in search of the use of blood tests in detecting skin cancer. For example, some proteins may be on the surface of metastatic melanoma cells and may also be mutated. These particular mutations may be detected in the blood, preferably through genotyping. These, of course, are still in development but hopefully should help in the detection of an early stage of cancer.

Conclusion

While beneficial, a CBC blood test for skin cancer screening is not the best approach. If the test results are abnormal, additional studies may be warranted. Proper clinical and histological examination should be done for skin cancer diagnosis. If you observe graded skin changes or think you have cancer, you should seek the help of a doctor who will assist you in proper diagnosis.