Cytogenetics Laboratory

Cytogenetics Laboratory
The Cytogenetics Laboratory performs conventional and molecular cytogenetic analysis of primarily bone marrow and peripheral blood specimens from patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT), and any other patients carrying the HSCT identifying flag, at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance outpatient clinic, University of Washington Medical Center, or Children's Hospital.  Other types of specimens, such as lymph node, may be analyzed as well.

Chromosome analysis is performed prior to transplant to determine the karyotype diagnosis of hematopoietic cells to provide diagnostic and prognostic information to the clinician.  Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) may also be performed to target specific DNA sequences in dividing and/or non-dividing cells.

Chromosome analysis and/or FISH may be performed after transplant to monitor for residual disease.

FISH with a dual color X and Y probe is performed on post-transplant specimens for chimerism testing to determine the host/donor origin of cells in patients with opposite sex donors.

The Cytogenetics Laboratory may also provide culture and analysis of research samples.