Chromosome Analysis, Hematologic Malignancy

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For Specimen Integrity during Extreme Weather see the “Lockbox Usage in Extreme Weather” document at the top of this page.

Test Code

CHROM

CPT Codes
88237, 88264

Preferred Specimen

3 mL bone marrow or 10 mL whole blood collected in a sodium heparin (green-top) tube

Minimum Volume

1 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Sodium heparin (royal blue-top) tube • Sodium heparin lead-free (tan-top) tube

Instructions

Bone marrow 3 mL or whole blood 10 mL, must contain 10% less mature myelocytes, pros or blasts. (green Vacutainer® only).
Infants 2-3 mL (in pediatric 3 mL Vacutainer®), must contain 10% myelocytes, pros or blasts. Ship at room temperature.
Bone marrow transport medium is available upon request.

Note: See the "Cytogenetics" section of the specimen collection guide for additional information. Other Vacutainer® tubes containing sodium heparin are acceptable.

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Specimen viability decreases during transit. Send specimen to testing lab for viability determination. Do not freeze. Do not reject.

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Received frozen

Methodology
Culture • Karyotype • Microscopy

Setup Schedule

A.M. Sets up 7 days a week.

Report Available

Reports in 8 to 9 days.

Reference Range

See Laboratory Report

Clinical Significance

Cytogenetics of hematologic disorders attempts to define and interpret chromosomal aberrations that occur in neoplastic cells associated with leukemia, lymphoma and other hematologic malignancies. Chromosome abnormalities in cancer cells of patients with malignant hematologic disorders including acute and chronic myeloid and lymphoid leukemias, myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative disorders, lymphomas and unexplained anemias may correlate with the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and etiology of disease.

Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
33608 Ortega Highway
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-2042

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.