ALK FISH (lymphoma)
Also known as: ALCL FISH (lymphoma)
Test category:
Oncology - Lymphoma
Use of test
Purpose:
Gene fusions involving the ALK gene and other gene partners can occur in large B-cell lymphomas and T-cell anaplastic large cell lymphomas. These fusions allow diagnosis of a specific subtype of lymphoma.
Utility:
Presence of an ALK fusion gene helps to define specific lymphoma subtypes (ALK positive large B-cell lymphoma and ALK positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma) with specific clinical and prognostic features.
Ethical considerations:
This is an assay for non-heritable mutations. It does not raise issues of ethics or consent that are different from most other investigations ordered in the routine care of a patient.
Methodology:
Fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) analysis, using probes to identify fusion of ALK with a partner gene. The breakpoints involved in these fusions can be variable, and in some cases certain variants will not be detected by the probe.
Requesting the test
Ordering:
This test is usually requested by a haematologist or oncologist.
Sample required:
0.5 mL bone marrow in transport media, or formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue (FFPE).
To help ensure the quality of the test, a genetic test should be done with a dedicated sample whenever possible i.e. a sample collected specifically for that test rather than a sample that is used for multiple tests.
We recommend that the patient or another adult check the labelling of request forms and sample tubes.
Turnaround time:
5 business days.
Price:
Up to $255.
If more information is required, the requesting clinician can call our laboratory on (07) 3377 8573.
Rebate:
This test is not rebated by Medicare. The laboratory assumes that the patient or client has provided informed financial consent for the test.