Ordering Guidance

This test is only performed on specimens from patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (T-ALL) who are 31 years and older.

This test is intended for instances when the entire T-ALL fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) panel is needed for an adult patient.

This test should NOT be used to screen for residual T-ALL. at follow-up, or if the patient clinically relapses, conventional cytogenetic studies (CHRBM / Chromosome Analysis, Hematologic Disorders, Bone Marrow) are useful to identify cytogenetic changes in the neoplastic clone or the possible emergence of a new therapy-related myeloid clone. Additionally, targeted T-ALL FISH probes can be evaluated based on the abnormalities identified in the diagnostic study.

If targeted T-cell ALL FISH probes are preferred, order TALMF / T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma (ALL), Specified FISH, Varies.

If this test is ordered on a patient 30 years or younger, this test will be canceled and automatically reordered by the laboratory as TALFP / Pediatric T-Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma panel, 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 COGTF / T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma (ALL), Children's Oncology Group Enrollment Testing, FISH, Varies.

If BALAF / B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma (ALL), Adult, FISH, Varies is ordered concurrently with this test, the laboratory may cancel TALAF and automatically reorder as TALMF / T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma (ALL), Specified FISH, Varies with the following FISH probes: TLX3/BCL11B, break-apart TRB, break-apart TRA, MLLT10/PICALM, and TAL1/STIL. If an abnormality is identified that would result in reflex testing in TALAF, the same reflex testing will be performed in the TALMF. This cancelation is necessary to avoid duplicate testing. Probes for break-apart PDGFRB, break-apart JAK2, ABL1/BCR, break-apart ABL1, and break-apart MLL will still be performed as part of the adult B-ALL FISH panel.

For testing paraffin-embedded tissue samples from patients with T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, order TLBLF / T-Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma, FISH, Tissue. If a paraffin-embedded tissue sample is submitted for this test, testing will be canceled and TLBLF 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 fluorescence in situ hybridization panel should be performed. 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

1.  A reason for testing must be provided. If this information is not provided, an appropriate indication for testing may be entered by Mayo Clinic Laboratories.

2. A flow cytometry and/or a bone marrow pathology report should be submitted with each specimen. The laboratory will not reject testing if this information is not provided, but appropriate testing and interpretation may be compromised or delayed.

Specimen Required

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred

Specimen Type: Bone marrow

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Yellow top (ACD)

Acceptable: Green top (sodium heparin) or lavender top (EDTA)

Specimen Volume: 2 to 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 (sodium 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.