Test Directory

Test Code
HGLT
Test Name
High Grade Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) Panel by FISH (Tissue)
CPT Codes
8837726x6, 88377TCx6
Included Tests
  • BCL2 (18q21.31-q21.32) Rearrangement
  • MYC (8q24.21) Rearrangement
  • BCL6 (3q27.3-q28) Rearrangement
  • MYC::IGH, t(8;14)
  • IGH (14q32.3)Rearrangement
  • IGH::BCL2, t(14;18)
  • Reflexed when appropriate: IGK and IGL
Expected Turnaround Time
3-5 business days
Clinical Utility

This panel differentiates double-hit or triple-hit lymphomas (which have MYC rearrangements together with BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements) from Burkitt lymphoma or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Double-hit and triple-hit lymphomas are difficult to classify morphologically without the aid of cytogenetics/FISH or IHC, and are associated with an aggressive course. Testing is indicated when B-cell lymphoma patients experience transformation, relapse, or refractory disease.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma / high-grade B-cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 rearrangements (DLBCL/HGBCL-MYC/BCL2) is an aggressive mature B-cell lymphoma with structural chromosomal aberrations with breakpoints at both MYC and BCL2 loci. DLBCL/HGBCL-MYC/BCL2, by definition, harbors two oncogenic rearrangements: one targeting MYC and one targeting BCL2. Their often-aggressive behavior is postulated to be the result of aberrant expression of BCL2, leading to increased apoptotic resistance, and MYC activation, driving proliferation.

MYC rearranges with an immunoglobulin partner in approximately 60% of MYC-rearranged DLBCL/HGBCL of which 75% are MYC/IGH fusion. BCL2 (18q21) is primarily translocated to IGH (14q32). MYC (8q24) translocation is more diverse and is to IG loci in 55–58% of cases – predominantly IGH, alternatively IGL via t(8;22)(q24;q11), or, more rarely, IGK via t(2;8)(p11;q24). A reflex panel to rule out these partners is offered for IGK and IGL.

BCL6::MYC reciprocal translocations as previously designated as having triple-hit status (now considered pseudo–triple-hit) as well as some cases of DLBCL/HGBCL with MYC and BCL6 rearrangements (pseudo–MYC/BCL6 double-hit). However, the relative frequency of reciprocal BCL6::MYC translocations and the impact on MYC and BCL6 locus regulation remain undetermined. 

Specimen and Container Info

Specimen: Formalin-Fixed Paraffin Embedded (FFPE) Tissue Block or 7 slides from FFPET block, cut at 4 micron thickness and mounted on charged lysine slides with accompanying H&E slide indicating the region(s) of interest (ROI), if the entire specimen is not tumor.

Collection Instructions

Specimens should have an ischemia time of < 1 hour and a formalin fixation time of

6 - 72 hours.

Transport Instructions

Transport to the laboratory at room temperature.

Causes for Rejection
  • Specimen arriving without any form of patient identification (unlabeled)
  • FFPET sections that are not properly attached to the slide
  • FFPET sections with excessive cracks, splits or deterioration that would inhibit analysis
  • Broken FFPET slides
Methodology
FISH, Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization
Reference Intervals

BCL2, 18q21.33-q22.1 Breakapart Probe-Rearrangement

In a normal cell, the expected signal pattern is two fused signals. In an abnormal cell with a rearrangement, the expected signal pattern is one red signal, one green signal, and one fused signal.

MYC, 8q24.21 Breakapart Probe-Rearrangement

In a normal cell, the expected signal pattern is two fused signals. In an abnormal cell with a rearrangement, the expected signal pattern is one red signal, one green signal, and one fused signal.

BCL6, 3q27 Breakapart Probe-Rearrangement

In a normal cell, the expected signal pattern is two fused signals. In an abnormal cell with a rearrangement, the expected signal pattern is one red signal, one green signal, and one fused signal.

MYC::IGH, t(8;14) Translocation Probe

In a normal cell, the expected signal pattern is two red signals and two green signals. In an abnormal cell containing a typical translocation, the expected signal pattern is one red signal, one green signal, and two fused signals.

IGH, 14q32.3 Breakapart Probe-Rearrangement

In a normal cell, the expected signal pattern is two fused signals. In an abnormal cell with a rearrangement, the expected signal pattern is one red signal, one green signal, and one fused signal.

IGH::BCL2, t(14;18) Translocation Probe

In a normal cell, the expected signal pattern is two red signals and two green signals. In an abnormal cell containing a typical translocation, the expected signal pattern is one red signal, one green signal, and two fused signals.

Performing Location
Roble Road Core Laboratory
Alternate Names
  • FISH NHL B-cell High Grade Lymphoma Panel, Tissue
  • Associations:
  • Burkitt's Lymphoma (BL)
  • Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)
  • Follicular Lymphoma (FL)
Testing Schedule
Routine, Monday - Friday no holidays
Disease Group
Cytogenetic Tests