Leukaemia (ALL, AML)**

Required sample material

Leukaemia diagnostics - classical cytogenetics:
5-7 ml bone marrow aspirate (NH4 or Na heparin) in NH4 heparinate S monovettes (Sarstedt REF 01.1603) or disposable syringes with approx. 20 to max. 200 µl heparin sodium (5000 I.U./ml) (final concentration 10 to max.100 I.U. heparin/ml sample material).
Please do not send Li-heparin or EDTA blood. [sentence not bold, but underlined]
If B-CLL or B-cell lymphoma is diagnosed, preferably 5-7 ml heparin whole blood (NH4 or Na heparin)

Leukaemia diagnostics - molecular cytogenetics:
3-4 ml bone marrow aspirate (NH4 heparin)

Leukaemia diagnostics - MRD:
See request form

Sample dispatch

EDTA blood or EDTA bone marrow aspirate for RNA/cDNA analyses in molecular genetic leukaemia diagnostics should be sent unrefrigerated as quickly as possible (preferably by express).

Heparin bone marrow aspirate for cytogenetic and molecular cytogenetic analyses should be sent by express without refrigeration. The sample transport time is of greater importance in cytogenetics, as cell cultures almost always have to be created here. The test material should reach the laboratory within 24 hours.

Heparin whole blood for cytogenetic and molecular cytogenetic analyses should be sent by express without refrigeration. The sample transport time is of greater importance in cytogenetics, as cell cultures almost always have to be created here. The test material should reach the laboratory within 24 hours.

Please send the samples to the following address:

Heidelberg University Hospital
Institute of Human Genetics

depending on the test requested:

Laboratory for Molecular Genetic Diagnostics/
Laboratory for Molecular Cytogenetic Diagnostics/
Laboratory for Cytogenetic Diagnostics/
Laboratory for MRD Diagnostics

Im Neuenheimer Feld 366 (4th floor)
69120 Heidelberg

Sample labelling

Please label each sample container clearly with the patient's surname, first name and date of birth and use our request forms.

The request forms are structured in such a way that we have all the necessary information about the patient and the patient consent form (where required) for the test order.

Please complete the request forms carefully to avoid unnecessary enquiries and please understand that we cannot accept unlabelled sample containers.

Leukaemia and lymphoproliferative diseases request form

Further information

Examination method:
Depending on the problem, molecular genetic, molecular cytogenetic and cytogenetic examinations are indicated.

Literature:
Atlas of Genetics and Cytogenetics in Oncology and Haematology

OMIM:
159555 MLL rearrangements
151410 BCR/ABL rearrangements
180240 RARA/PML rearrangements
102578 PML/RARA rearrangements
121360 CBFB, inv(16), t(16;16)

Processing time:
Molecular cytogenetic analysis: 1-2 weeks after receipt of order
Molecular genetic analysis: 5-14 days
Cytogenetic analysis: 2-3 weeks
MRD diagnostics: initial 3-4 weeks, remission 1-2 weeks

Contact person

Dr Karin Burau, M.Sc. (Cytogenetics)

Prof. Dr sc. hum. Anna Jauch (Molecular Cytogenetics)

Dr phil. nat. Rolf Köhler (MRD)

** only the molecular genetic test is not accredited