Ordering Guidance

This test is only performed on specimens from patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (B-ALL/LBL) who are 31 years of age or older.

This test is intended to be ordered when the entire B-ALL/LBL fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) panel is needed for an adult patient.

-If this test is ordered on a patient 30 years of age or younger, this test will be canceled and automatically reordered by the laboratory as BALPF / B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma (ALL), Pediatric, FISH, 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 COGBF / B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma (ALL), Children's Oncology Group Enrollment Testing, FISH, Varies

-If TALAF / T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma (ALL), Adult, FISH, Varies, is ordered concurrently with this test, the laboratory may cancel BALAF and automatically reorder as BALMF / B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma (ALL), Specified FISH, Varies with the following FISH probes: ETV6/RUNX1, PBX1/TCF3, 4/10/17, break-apart IGH, break-apart CRLF2, break-apart P2RY8, break-apart ABL2, and IKZF1/cep7. If an abnormality is identified that would result in reflex testing in BALAF, the same reflex testing will be performed in the BALMF. This cancellation is necessary to avoid duplicate testing. Probes for break-apart PDGFRB, break-apart JAK2, CDKN2A/D9Z1, ABL1/BCR, break-apart ABL1, break-apart MLL, TP53/D17Z1 will still be performed as part of the adult T-ALL FISH panel. 

If PHLDF / Philadelphia Chromosome-like Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (Ph-like ALL), Diagnostic FISH, Varies, is ordered concurrently with this test, PHLDF testing will be canceled. The probes offered in PHLDF are included within this test, when appropriate.

If limited B-cell ALL FISH probes are preferred, order BALMF / B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma (ALL), Specified FISH, Varies.

At follow-up, conventional cytogenetic studies (CHRBM / Chromosome Analysis, Hematologic Disorders, Bone Marrow) and targeted B-ALL FISH probes can be evaluated based on the abnormalities identified in the diagnostic study. Order BALMF / B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma (ALL), Specified FISH, Varies and request specific probes or abnormalities.

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

For patients with B-cell lymphoma, order BLPMF / B-Cell Lymphoma, Specified FISH, Varies.

For testing paraffin-embedded tissue samples from patients with B-ALL/LBL, order BLBLF / B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma, FISH, Tissue. If a paraffin-embedded tissue sample is submitted for this test, it will be canceled and BLBLF 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 this panel should be performed per National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. If there is limited specimen available, only this test will be performed.

Shipping Instructions

Advise Express Mail or equivalent if not on courier service.

Necessary Information

A reason for testing and a flow cytometry and/or bone marrow pathology report should be submitted with each specimen. The laboratory will not reject testing if this information is not provided; however, appropriate testing and interpretation may be compromised or delayed in some instances. If not provided, an appropriate indication for testing may be entered by Mayo Clinic Laboratories.

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: 2-3 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.