Cytogenetics Website
Haematological samples
Types of referrals
The main reason for referral are investigation of:-
• ALL
• AML
• MDS/MPD
• CML
• ? Leukaemia
Sample Required
Bone Marrow Sample
• Bone marrow should be collected into a sterile universal bottle containing culture medium (including antibiotics) and heparin. This medium can be provided by the laboratory at regular intervals (see ordering medium page).
• A clotted sample is unsuitable for cytogenetic studies.
• The sample should be sent as soon as possible directly to the department by a reliable transport system. A delay in the sample being processed may result in a failure to obtain dividing cells or may even result in total failure of the test.
Collecting a Blood Sample
• It is acceptable to send a blood sample for the study of an acquired abnormality if there are sufficient circulating blast cells in the blood of the patient.
• Blood should be taken in to a lithium heparin tube, and mixed well to prevent clotting.
Adults 2ml
Children 2ml
• More blood may be required if chromosome breakage studies are required.
• Blood in EDTA will also be accepted, but success rates and quality may be compromised.
• Blood in other containers is not suitable for culture. Clotted blood is unsuitable for chromosome analysis.
Sample Transport
• Samples should be addressed to
Cytogenetics Unit,
St. James’s Hospital
Beckett Street,Leeds
LS9 7TF
• Cytogenetic analysis requires living cells. Please ensure that the sample reaches us as quickly as possible (within 24 hours). First class post is satisfactory.
• Samples should be sent in sterile, fresh (ie less than one month since opening) culture medium - this should ideally be RPMI 1640 with heparin in sterile containers, ideally plastic universals (see ordering medium page).
• Samples should arrive within 24 hours of the aspirate being taken.
• For samples taken late on Friday or early Saturday, efforts should be made to get them to the laboratory before 11am on Saturday.
• Where delays over 24 hours are unavoidable, eg for aspirates taken on Saturday afternoon or Sunday, samples should be refrigerated and sent to the laboratory to arrive on the next working day.
ALL PACKAGES MUST CONFORM TO POST OFFICE REGULATIONS
(Copies are available from the Post Office)
Reporting of Results
• Diagnostic Leukaemic Cases: all new diagnostic acute leukaemias, together with CML (new and follow-up samples) are treated as urgent.
• It is the policy of the laboratory to telephone the unusual or unexpected abnormal result to the referring clinician.
• Complex or difficult to interpret abnormalities may require Fluorescent in situ Hybridisation to resolve the karyotype, this may delay some results.
• Results are sent to the referring clinician. Complex abnormal results are usually telephoned prior to the written report being sent and the interpretation and implication discussed.
• The laboratory works in close collaboration with HMDS, and some samples may be stored after processing, without analysis unless cytogenetics is specifically requested.
Last Updated 18/12/07