Flow Cytometry

The Flow Cytometry Laboratory performs several assays for clinical diagnostic testing. Major clinical applications include:

• Leukemia immunophenotyping by flow cytometry (see #3287 “Leukemia/Lymphoma Immunophenotyping by Flow Cytometry”)
  • Applicable to anticoagulated peripheral blood and bone marrow aspirates, as well as tissues or body fluids (for tissue, see #19499 “Leukemia/Lymphoma Immunophenotyping by Flow Cytometry, Tissue”)
  • Useful for:
    • Identifying leukemias and lymphomas of mature B and T cells
    • Identifying acute leukemias and distinguishing lymphoblastic leukemias/lymphomas (ALLs) from acute myeloid leukemias
    • Immunologic subtyping of ALL
    • Distinguishing between malignant lymphoma and acute leukemia
    • Phenotypic subclassification of B- and T-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders such as B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, hairy cell leukemia, and T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemias
• DNA ploidy analysis of solid tumor (see #9319 “DNA Ploidy of Solid Tumor by Flow Cytometry, Paraffin Block”)
  • Applicable to formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue
  • Useful for:
    • Determining the prognosis for patients with certain tumors, including prostate, colon, endometrial, and breast carcinoma
    • Products of conception (triploidy)
• PI-linked antigen
  • Detects the presence or absence of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked antigens on the surface of peripheral blood granulocytes, monocytes, and erythrocytes
  • Useful in screening or confirming the diagnosis of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria