Bcr-abl Translocation for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

Synonyms:

Philadelphia Chromosome.

Specimen:

Whole blood or bone marrow.

Volume:

7 mL whole blood or 1-2 mL bone marrow.

Minimum Volume:

3 mL whole blood.

Container:

Lavender-stopper (EDTA) tubes.

Collection:

Submit at room temperature. Specimens should arrive in the laboratory within 48 hours of collection. Indicate date and time of collection on test request form.

Storage:

Maintain specimen at room temperature.

Causes for Rejection:

Specimen frozen; specimen in formalin or other fixative; clotted specimen; hemolysis; blood more than 72 hours old; bone marrow aspirates older than 5 days; bags or bottles of body fluid or bronchial washings.

Use:

Aid in the diagnosis of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and monitoring for minimal residual disease. CML is associated with a bcr-abl chromosomal translocation t(9; 22) in >95% of all cases.