Test Directory

RARA, 17q21.1-q21.2

Retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARA) is a dual color break apart test that is performed to detect the molecular rearrangement RARA (17q21.1). This FISH assay is used in the diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).

Specimen Types: Leukemic Blood or Bone Marrow

Preferred Collection Container: Green Top (Sodium Heparin)

Alternate Collection Container: Lavendar Top (EDTA)

Desired Specimen Volume: 3 - 5 mL

Minimum Acceptable Volume: 1 mL

• 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 RARA Breakapart
• RARA BA
• RARA
• Retinoic Acid Receptor Alpha