Ordering Guidance

This test is intended for instances when limited T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probes are needed. The FISH probes to be analyzed must be specified on the ordering request. If specific probes are not included with this test request, testing will be delayed and may be canceled and automatically reordered by the laboratory as TALAF / T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma (ALL), FISH, Adult, Varies or TALPF / T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma (ALL), FISH, Pediatric, Varies depending on the age of the patient.

If a complete T-cell ALL FISH panel is preferred for an adult patient who is 31 years or older, order TALAF / T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma (ALL), FISH, Adult, Varies.

If a complete T-cell ALL FISH panel is preferred for a pediatric patient who is 30 years or younger, order TALPF / T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma (ALL), FISH, Pediatric, Varies.

If this test is ordered and the laboratory is informed that the patient is on a Children's Oncology Group (COG) protocol, this test will be canceled and automatically reordered by the laboratory as COGTF / T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma (ALL), Children's Oncology Group Enrollment Testing, FISH, Varies.

If the patient clinically relapses, a conventional chromosome study is useful to identify cytogenetic changes in the neoplastic clone or the possible emergence of a new therapy-related myeloid clone.

For patients with T-cell lymphoma, order TLPDF / T-Cell Lymphoma, Diagnostic FISH, Varies.

For testing paraffin-embedded tissue samples from patients with T-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (T-LBL), order TLBLF / T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma, FISH, Tissue. If a paraffin-embedded tissue sample is submitted for this test, this test will be canceled and TLBLF will be added and performed as the appropriate test.

Additional Testing Requirements

At diagnosis, conventional cytogenetic studies (CHRBM / Chromosome Analysis, Hematologic Disorders, Bone Marrow) and a complete TALAF / T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma (ALL), FISH, Adult, Varies or TALPF / T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma (ALL), FISH, Pediatric, Varies should be performed, depending on patient's age. If there is limited specimen available, only fluorescence in situ hybridization testing will be performed.

Shipping Instructions

Advise Express Mail or equivalent if not on courier service.

Necessary Information

1. A list of probes requested for analysis is required. Probes available for this test are listed in the Testing Algorithm section.

2. A reason for testing must be provided. If this information is not provided, an appropriate indication for testing may be entered by Mayo Clinic Laboratories.

3. A flow cytometry and/or a bone marrow pathology report should be submitted with each specimen. The laboratory will not reject testing if this information is not provided, but appropriate testing and interpretation may be compromised or delayed.

Specimen Required

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred:

Specimen Type: Bone marrow

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Yellow top (ACD)

Acceptable: Green top (heparin) or lavender top (EDTA)

Specimen Volume: 2 to 3 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. It is preferable to send the first aspirate from the bone marrow collection.

2. Invert several times to mix bone marrow.

3. Send bone marrow specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.

Acceptable:

Specimen Type: Whole blood

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Yellow top (ACD)

Acceptable: Green top (heparin) or lavender top (EDTA)

Specimen Volume: 6 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Invert several times to mix blood.

2. Send whole blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.