Cytogenetic analysis can provide an important clinical understanding for diagnosis, prognosis, and available therapies in a wide variety of hematologic tumors. Chromosomal changes can consist of additions and deletions of whole chromosomes or structural changes such as insertions, inversions, translocations, and deletions. In leukemias and lymphomas, chromosomal translocations are identified as a common karyotypic change aiding in disease diagnosis.
In some forms of cancer, especially hematological neoplasms, cytogenetic analysis can determine whether chromosomal changes, either structural or numerical, are present in the malignant cells, thereby facilitating diagnosis, prognosis and treatment options.
- BM Aspirate: 1-2 mL sodium heparin tube.
- Peripheral Blood: 2-5 mL sodium heparin tube.
- CSF: 1-3 mL
- Lymph Node and BM Cores (Fresh/Unfixed): One thin cross-section of fresh node with minimum 0.5 cm3 tissue. Collect under sterile conditions as if for microbiologic culture. Place tissue in RPMI and note type of tissue on test requisition. Lymph nodes and BM cores may be sent to our Aliso Viejo, CA facility. Tissues placed in formalin are unacceptable for cytogenetics.
- Note: Please exclude biopsy needles, blades, and other foreign objects from transport tubes. These can compromise specimen viability and yield, and create hazards for employees.
Do not freeze. Use cold pack for transport, make sure cold pack is not in direct contact with specimen.
Bone marrow aspirate/blood: 6 days (standard; 8 days for known or suspected plasma cell neoplasm) | Lymph node/node biopsy: 6 days
- Sandberg AA. Cancer cytogenetics for clinicians. American Cancer Society Journals. https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.3322/canjclin.44.3.136. Published December 31, 2008. Accessed January 11, 2021.