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Laboratory Service

Compassionate Testing, Close to Home

Our Illinois CancerCare laboratory team provides timely, accurate testing to support your care. We know lab work can feel overwhelming – we’re here to make the process as simple and comfortable as possible.

Hours vary by location. Your care team will help schedule your Lab collection and/or procedure at the location most convenient for you.

If you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment, please call us at: 309-243-3000.

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Tests We Perform

Our laboratory offers a wide range of tests so your care team can get the information they need without delays. Common tests include:

Core Blood Tests

  • Complete Blood Count (CBC): Evaluates white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets
  • Routine Chemistry Tests: Checks kidney and liver function, blood sugar, protein levels, and electrolytes

Cancer Related Testing

  • Tumor Markers: Used for cancers such as breast, prostate, ovarian, and colon
  • Specialized Myeloma Testing: Quantitative immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM), Beta-2 Microglobulin, SPE, IFE, and Free Light Chains

Additional Testing

  • Prothrombin Time: Helps monitor blood-thinning medications
  • Iron Studies: Measures how your body stores and uses iron
  • Thyroid Testing: Screens for and monitors thyroid conditions
  • B12 / Folate Levels: Helps identify causes of anemia and may be required before certain treatments

Procedures

  • Bone Marrow Aspiration & Biopsy: Examines bone marrow for blood disorders and cancers
  • Therapeutic Phlebotomy

Bone Marrow Aspiration & Biopsy

A bone marrow biopsy or aspiration may sound intimidating, but our team is dedicated to keeping you comfortable and supported throughout the process.

Bone marrow is the soft tissue inside your bones where blood cells are made. These procedures help us understand what’s happening inside your blood and bone marrow:

  • A bone marrow aspiration collects a small sample of liquid marrow.
  • A biopsy takes a tiny core of tissue.

Your provider may recommend these tests to help diagnose conditions such as leukemia, lymphoma, anemia, or abnormal blood counts – or to monitor how well treatment is working.

The procedure is usually performed on the hip bone. Here’s what you can expect:

  1. The area is cleaned and numbed with a local anesthetic.
  2. A needle is used to collect marrow fluid (aspiration) and a small tissue sample (biopsy).
  3. You may feel pressure and brief discomfort, but severe pain is uncommon.
  4. Pressure and a bandage are applied afterward, and you can resume normal activities shortly after.

Our team will talk you through each step and make sure you feel safe and informed.

Your results give your care team important insights, such as the below. Your provider will walk you through your results with you and explain what comes next.

  • Whether you have a blood cancer
  • Whether a known cancer has spread
  • Causes of anemia, infections, or abnormal blood counts
  • How well your current treatment is working

Laboratory Services are available at multiple Illinois CancerCare locations, including:

  • Peoria: Draw collection site, Therapeutic Phlebotomy, and Bone Marrow Procedures
  • Bloomington: Draw Collection Site, Therapeutic Phlebotomy, and Bone Marrow Procedures
  • Galesburg: Draw Collection Site, Therapeutic Phlebotomy, and Bone Marrow Procedures
  • Pekin: Draw Collection Site & Therapeutic Phlebotomy
  • Washington: Draw Collection Site & Therapeutic Phlebotomy
  • Peru: Draw Collection Site

  • Do not remove or adjust the needle.
  • Never attempt to remove or disconnect the needle yourself.
  • Keep the dressing secure and dry.
  • Avoid pulling or stain on the port.
  • Protect the port while resting.

*Call our office immediately if you notice any redness, swelling, drainage, pain or tenderness, fever or chills, if the needle appears to be dislodged, or if the dressing comes off.