Flow Cytometry -Fluid

Useful For

Identify and characterize the following:

• Reactive lymphocytosis vs chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

• CLL vs mantle cell lymphoma

• Prolymphocytic leukemia vs lymphoblastic leukemia large granular lymphocyte proliferations, T-γ lymphoproliferative disease, natural killer cell proliferations, T-cell CLL, T-cell γ/δ proliferations

• Sézary syndrome

• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

• Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma

Neoplastic B-cell proliferations (chronic leukemias and lymphomas) are clonal expansions of cells that express either κ or λ immunoglobulin light chains.

Method Name

Immunophenotyping by flow cytometry

Important Note

Specimens should be transported to Cytology immediately.

Aliases

Flow Cytometry,

Specimen Type

Fluid

Specimen Required

FLUID: The fluid should be fresh – no fixative added (10-20 ml is acceptable).

Specimen Minimum Volume

  • a minimum of 2 mL body fluid tube is requested.

Specimen Stability Information

Specimens should be transported to Cytology immediately.

Rejected Due To

Specimen frozen; specimen in formalin or other fixative; fluid in formalin or other fixative; contaminated transport medium

Performing Laboratory

Tissue specimens for flow cytometry are sent to Integrated Oncology reference laboratory.

Exception: for patients with BlueShield of Northeastern New York health insurance only, flow cytometry specimens will be sent to Quest Diagnostics reference laboratory.

 

Day(s) and Time(s) Performed

Monday – Friday beginning at 8 a.m.

  • The cut-off time for receiving flow cytometry specimens is 3:00 p.m. to ensure timely handling and shipping to the reference laboratory.

Analytical Time

Expected turn around time:

Integrated Oncology:

  • Flow Cytometry: 2 business days
    • Hematopathology Consult: 6-8 business days (If applicable)

Quest:

  • Flow Cytometry: 7-8 days

Specimen Retention Time

For specimen retention, see the appropriate reference lab links below:

CPT Code Information

For CPT code information please contact:

Integrated Oncology

Quest Diagnostics

Analytical Time

Expected turn around time:

Integrated Oncology:

  • Flow Cytometry: 2 business days
    • Hematopathology Consult: 6-8 business days (If applicable)

Quest:

  • Flow Cytometry: 7-8 days