6 Applications of Conventional Cytogenetics Analysis

Conventional Cytogenetics Analysis is an important tool in medical field. There are many applications of conventional cytogenetics analysis. It is good to know the strengths of this analysis technique so that we can know the most appropriate genetic assays to be used.

Generally, a clinician may ask for the conventional cytogenetics analysis even though it may not be appropriate for the information sought. Therefore, it is essential for the clinician to know the application of this analysis. On the other hand, the cytogeneticist may be consulted to use the best analysis for the patients.

Applications of Conventional Cytogenetics Analysis

1. Detect the Presence of Abnormal Cancer Cell

We can easily detect the abnormal clone by using karyotyping. It is helpful in differentiating between reactive conditions and malignancy if there is an abnormal clone present. For instance, detecting an abnormal clone is good when we are investigating a pleural effusion, anemia or lymphocytosis. Yet, there might more than one abnormality present in the same sample too. Sometimes, most of the analyzed cells are normal. But it does not mean that there is no abnormality. It might because of the abnormal cells were not grown well during the culture process.

2. Confirm the Diagnosis

The conventional cytogenetics analysis is useful to clarify the diagnosis. For instance, the clinician can only diagnose for the Down syndrome according to the physical appearance of the patient. We can use conventional cytogenetics analysis to help to confirm the diagnosis.

3. Indicate the Prognosis

Cytogenetics analysis is one of the most powerful prognostic indicators in hematologic malignancies. This effect persists despite advances in treatment. It is important for solid tumors prognosis too. Therefore, sometimes the cytogeneticists feel hesitate to report the karyotype as normal. The failure of finding a cancer clone implies only the normal cells were analyzed or the genetic abnormality was undetectable.

4. Help in Choosing the Best Treatment

The clinician will always take into account the cytogenetics analysis when choosing the treatment for the patients. For example, a bone marrow transplant will only be used when the risk of dying from the malignancy is relatively higher than the risk of doing the transplant according to the cytogenetics analysis. Besides, this analysis can assist the clinician to tailor the treatment according to the needs of the patient so that the risk of relapse against the risk of therapy-related death can be balanced.

5. Keep Tracking the Response of Treatment

Conventional cytogenetics analysis is good for monitoring the response of the treatment to the patient. For example, we can use this analysis to monitor the effectiveness of the bone marrow transplant to the patient.

6. Support Further Research

By using the result of conventional cytogenetics analysis, we can do the further research for particular abnormality. We can publish the usual findings as case reports to provide more information to the public. It will become useful when the same abnormality is discovered in other patients.

In conclusion, the cytogenetics study is still playing an important role for diagnostic investigations of patient who has hematologic malignancy or solid tumors. Yet, this can be assisted by other genetic assays too such as microarray. Personally, I really appreciate the applications of cytogenetics analysis. I will explore more about it so that I can really use it to help in increasing the accuracy of diagnosis and prognosis. Keep on reading more about cancer cytogenetics in Cytogenetics Cancer Research blog.

(Reference: Cancer Cytogenetics edited by John Swansbury)