Bone Marrow, Leukemic Blood and Solid Tumor Analysis

Chromosome analysis and other laboratory techniques can provide useful information to patients with leukemias, lymphomas, and other related cancers. These tests can help classify the type of cancer to allow for more accurate treatment, assess the effectiveness of a treatment, and help predict a patient's prognosis.

What are Chromosomes?  

Chromosomes are units of genetic information. There are 46 chromosomes in every cell, arranged into 23 pairs. The chromosomes are composed of thousands of genes, which control growth and development of the human body. An abnormality in the way the genes on the chromosomes are arranged in the cells can lead to cancer. A common genetic cause of malignancy is a translocation, which is a rearrangement of the chromosomes. For example, greater than 90% of the cases of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) are caused by a translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22, in which pieces of the two chromosomes switch places. This rearrangement of chromosomes disrupts genes on the chromosomes and may eventually lead to cancer.

Just because a person's cancer is genetic does not necessarily mean that it is inherited. Most chromosome abnormalities related to cancers are acquired sporadically throughout life. Therefore, we would not expect an increased risk for the same chromosome abnormality to occur in a patient's child.

What are the Benefits of Laboratory Testing?

• Identifying the Cause
Chromosome analysis can help define the type of cancer, which can aid in identifying an appropriate treatment protocol and in predicting prognosis.

• Monitor Remission States
A specialized technique, know as FISH (fluorescent in situ hybridization) testing, can identify low percentages of abnormal cells in the bone marrow or peripheral blood after treatment to monitor remission states. FISH testing often detects abnormal cells present before clinical symptoms reappear; therefore, treatment could be re-implemented sooner.

• Predict Prognosis
A technique called Immunophenotyping is used to characterize cancer cells. The presence or absence of certain antigens on the cells can have prognostic implications.

Please contact GeneCare at 800-277-4363and ask to speak to a genetic counselor if you have further questions about having genetic testing for cancer. 

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Last modified: May 25, 2004 04:26 PM
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