Newcastle Laboratories

Flow cytometry for haematological malignancy

Clinical Background:

Requested on advice of consultant or specialist registrar in haematology. Flow cytometry is a powerful technique which allows us to look at the properties of individual cells and is most commonly u...

Requested on advice of consultant or specialist registrar in haematology. Flow cytometry is a powerful technique which allows us to look at the properties of individual cells and is most commonly used for evaluating peripheral blood, bone marrow, and other body fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid and peritoneal fluid. Cells within patient samples are stained with antibodies against ‘CD markers’ on the surface, or inside the cell. These antibodies are conjugated to fluorescent tags which are detected by the flow cytometer. The pattern of CD markers can help distinguish between normal and neoplastic conditions. Our test repertoire includes over 80 antibodies, covering over 50 CD markers. We have a range of panels designed to assist in the diagnosis of B-cell neoplasms, T-cell neoplasms, acute leukaemias, plasma cell neoplasms, chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia and mast cell disorders. 

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Test Details

  • Discipline:

    NEHODS

    NEHODS

  • Specimen Container Adult:

    EDTA for marrow aspirate and peripheral blood and universal container for other fluids

    EDTA for marrow aspirate and peripheral blood and universal container for other fluids

  • Specimen Container Paediatric:

    EDTA for marrow aspirate and peripheral blood and universal container for other fluids

    EDTA for marrow aspirate and peripheral blood and universal container for other fluids

  • Minimum Volume Adult:

    4-5 mL peripheral blood or bone marrow aspirate. 0.5 mL for CSF and >1 mL for other fluids

    4-5 mL peripheral blood or bone marrow aspirate. 0.5 mL for CSF and >1 mL for other fluids

  • Minimum Volume Paediatric:

    4-5 mL peripheral blood or bone marrow aspirate. 0.5 mL for CSF and >1 mL for other fluids

    4-5 mL peripheral blood or bone marrow aspirate. 0.5 mL for CSF and >1 mL for other fluids

  • Special Requirement:

    Please complete NEHODS request form

    Please complete NEHODS request form

  • Sample Stability:

    Should be analysed within 48 hours

    Should be analysed within 48 hours

  • Transport Requirements:

    Samples should be sent to laboratory immediately.

    Samples should be sent to laboratory immediately.

  • Freq Analysis:

    Daily

    Daily

  • Add On Test:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Quality Assurance:

    UK NEQAS flow cytometry

    UK NEQAS flow cytometry

  • Interpretation:

    By specialist registrar or consultant haematologist

    By specialist registrar or consultant haematologist

  • Reference Ranges:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Factors Affecting Result:

    Quality and size of sample

    Quality and size of sample

  • Referenced Documents:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Other Info:

    Please provide a blood film and bone marrow aspirate slide as well as representative FBC. 

    Please provide a blood film and bone marrow aspirate slide as well as representative FBC. 

Availability:

Daily 9-5 and out of hours in emergencies. On discussion with haematology team. 

Turn Around:

3 days (urgent four hours from receipt)

Send To:

NEHODS

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