Background:

Numerical and structural chromosome changes are a recognized phenomenon in cancer progression.  Tumor tissue chromosome analysis, as a companion to pathological assessment, may aid in the diagnosis and classification of tumor type.  Companion fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) studies with appropriate probe sets are valuable in further delineation of chromosome abnormalities.

Methodology:

  • Chromosome analysis (karyotyping) with banding (400-550 bands)
  • Reflex testing to FISH as appropriate to confirm diagnosis.

Specimen Requirements:

Tumor: Tumor specimens of at least 0.5 cm3 (up to 3 inches in diameter) are immediately collected with sterile methods into closable containers with sterile transport medium.* Needle biopsies will be accepted, but are often difficult to grow.  Deliver the specimen in transport medium to the laboratory within a day, if possible, with decreased success rates as specimens are delayed in transit.  Protect sample from temperature extremes during shipping.

*Sterile Ringer’s solution, either lactated or non-lactated, and sterile isotonic saline are alternatives, if no complete RPMI is available.  Contact Client Services for more information on media requirements.

It is preferable to collect the specimen before initiation of chemotherapy in the patient.  Tumor samples should be selected from viable areas, with as little normal or necrotic material as possible. 

Fluid samples (e.g., ascitic or pleural fluid) do not require culture medium for collection, but should be collected and transported aseptically. 

Unacceptable specimens are acellular, necrotic specimens, septic specimens, specimens in fixative or frozen, or specimens collected more than one week previously.

A REQUISITION FORM MUST ACCOMPANY ALL SAMPLES.  Please include detailed clinical information, including ethnicity, clinical history, and family history.

Test Performed (Days):

Mon - Sat

Turn Around Time:

10-12 Days

Shipment Sensitivity Requirements:

  • Keep specimen cold during transit, but do not ship on dry ice. 
  • Please contact Client Services at (855) 535-1522 for shipping kits and instructions. 
  • Use the cold pack provided in the KDL shipping kit. 
  • Ship the specimen overnight express, using the FedEx priority overnight label provided. 
  • The specimen must arrive at the lab no more than 24 hours after collection.

References:

Additional Info:

After hours, please leave message at (855) 535-1522 for cytogeneticist on call.

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The Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health & Science University is a pioneer in the field of precision cancer medicine. The institute's director, Brian Druker, M.D., helped prove it was possible to shut down just the cells that enable cancer to grow. This breakthrough has made once-fatal forms of the disease manageable and transformed how cancer is treated. The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center between Sacramento and Seattle – an honor earned only by the nation's top cancer centers. It is headquarters for one of the National Cancer Institute's largest research collaboratives, SWOG, in addition to offering the latest treatments and technologies as well as hundreds of research studies and clinical trials.

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