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FISH analysis for Plasma cell neoplasms (including Plasma Cell Myeloma and MGUS)

Category Specialist Integrated Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Service (SIHMDS) >> Cytogenetics
Test background

FISH involves the application of fluorescent DNA probes specific to genes or genetic regions of interest that highlight abnormalities involving these regions.

Clinical Indications

In plasma cell neoplasms, a panel of FISH probes is applied at diagnosis to purified CD138+ plasma cells in cases >2% plasma cells to identify common genetic abnormalities that are known to be strongly associated with prognosis in multiple myeloma and assist in devising the most suitable management strategy.

Please see document link below.

FISH analysis for Plasma cell neoplasms (including Plasma Cell Myeloma and MGUS
Reference range

N/A

Sample & container required A minimum of 2-3mls Bone marrow in lithium heparin.
3-5mls peripheral blood in lithium heparin (if disease cells are present in sufficient numbers to allow cell culture and/or FISH studies, as appropriate)

EDTA PB and BM samples (>1ml) are acceptable for FISH only studies as appropriate. Please note the laboratory does not provide transport medium. Samples sent in transport media from an external laboratory containing Lithium heparin will be accepted if no other media available
Sample volume Samples would not be rejected on the basis of small volume, however, 5 mL is ideal.
Turnaround time Myeloma referrals are treated as routine; 95% should be reported within 21 calendar days.
Notes

If the blood counts are abnormal (high or low white cell count) the volumes of BM/PB requested can be adjusted accordingly.

It is preferable not to send myeloma samples after 12pm on Fridays due to the time required to perform CD138 separation

Delayed samples:
Samples should arrive in the laboratory as soon as possible after sampling. Samples delayed in transit may yield poor quality or failed results.