Test Directory

IGH, 14q.32.3

Rearrangements involving the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) gene have been identified in about 50% of non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphomas (NHLs) and correlated to clinically relevant subgroups. A t(14;18)(q32;q21) is found in 88.1% of follicular lymphomas and a t(11;14)(q13;q32) is in 85.7% mantle cell lymphomas. IGH rearrangements are identified in 52.5% of diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. Rearrangements of the IGH gene occur in 34.7% of plasma cell myeloma cases and is among the most frequent chromosomal change. FISH can detect this rearrangement in either interphase or metaphase cells.

• Lithium heparin is not acceptable.
• Specimens must be collected in a sterile collection container.

Each specimen must be accompanied by a requisition form, script, electronic order or physician note. Each order must indicate the reason for testing (diagnosis).

• Transport to the laboratory at room temperature.
• Store specimen as whole blood, in original tube, at room temperature and deliver to lab within 24 hours.
• If specimen cannot be delivered within 24 hours, store in refrigerator. Do not freeze specimen.
• Specimens collected on the weekends must be refrigerated upon arrival at HNL Lab Medicine.

• Specimen frozen
• Specimen arriving without any form of patient identification (unlabeled)
• Specimen with attached needles
• Specimen arriving with broken or leaking collection tube
• Unfixed specimen treated with fixative

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

• FISH IGH Breakapart, Heme
• IGH BA
• IGH
• Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain