The use and evaluation of integrated diagnostics in haematological malignancy

Abstract

Background: Haematologic malignancies are one of the most challenging diagnostic fields. Many discrepancies have been reported in diagnoses of this disease over the last few years that affect patient outcomes. Such discrepancies have promoted the introduction of guidelines and classifications to improve identification and predict an optimal therapy approach. The Specialist Integrated Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Services (SIHMDS), which was introduced in the UK as a special service for haematologic malignancies, to provide a second review, promote multiple techniques for proper diagnosis and prognosis and to choose the best treatment approach. Objectives: This study aims to identify the effectiveness of diagnosing lymphoma using SIHMDS in Manchester by comparing this service to local in MRI and other hospitals diagnoses. Also, it aims to identify the role of interpretation and diagnostic techniques in accurate lymphoma diagnosis. Methods: A total of 2,014 cases were collected from January 2019 to December 2019 from HODS system in SIHMDS. Among these, 295 cases were lymphoma cases and their details were taken from an integrated report. The primary diagnoses of these cases were taken to compare and identify discrepancies. Results: From 295 cases, the discrepancy was 10% in the total cases diagnosed, while the discrepancy rate was lower in MRI (7.4%), and higher in other hospitals by (29%). The role and need of the second review and multiple techniques were confirmed to improve the diagnoses in the special service. Also, needle core biopsy was shown to be useful in lymphoma diagnosis. Conclusion: Introducing special diagnostic service in haematologic malignancies is crucial due to the great benefits of second review and multiple advance techniques. New advances in this field will further improve the diagnosis sensitivity and further enhance patient outcomes.