Flow Cytometry Test - Immunophenotyping For CLPD

Flow Cytometry – Immunophenotyping for CLPD

Flowcytometry is a technique used to detect and measure the physical and chemical characteristics of a population of cells or particles. This test is also called immunophenotyping for CLPD. Chronic Lymphoproliferative disorders (CLPD) are a set of disorders characterized by the abnormal proliferation of lymphocytes.

Leukemia is basically a cancer of the blood in which a particular blood cell proliferates in an uncontrolled and abnormal manner in the bone marrow and spreads to the bloodstream and various organs of the body. The origin of this blood cancer is the bone marrow of bones. It happens due to genetic mutation in blood-producing cells.

Bone marrow is the soft spongy tissue present in centre of all bones. . Bone marrow is of two types-red and yellow. Red bone marrow has certain cells called hematopoietic stem cells. These stem cells develop into myeloid cells or lymphoid cells. The myeloid cells form into red blood cells, the particular type of white blood cells (neutrophils, basophils, and eosinophils), and platelets. Lymphoid cells form into a particular type of white blood cells (lymphocytes and natural killer cells).

In chronic lymphocytic leukemia, there is uncontrolled proliferation of specific white blood cells (B-lymphocytes). CLL affects older adults. As its name suggests it is slow-growing cancer so in this type of cancer symptoms appear later on. The common symptoms are:

• Excessive tiredness
• Fever
• Unexplained weight loss
• Recurrent infections
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Night sweats
• Pain in left upper abdomen

Why is Flow Cytometry test prescribed?

The health care provider may advise this test for diagnosis of CLL in the presence of certain symptoms as mentioned previously. He may ask for this blood test in presence of certain high risk factors for CLL such as:

• Old age
• Family history of CLL
• Exposure to certain chemicals

This test helps to identify the type of leukemia, its aggressiveness and which treatment will be beneficial. It also helps to know if cancer has relapsed after treatment.

What are the components of Flow Cytometry –Immunophenotyping for CLPD?

This test is usually done after complete blood count test which may show presence of increased number of white blood cells (lymphocytes), increase in abnormal cell count or if there is presence of immature blood cells. In this test the pathologist detects certain white blood cell markers or antigen present on surface of the cells. These markers are called CD (cluster differentiation) markers. The markers looked for by the pathologist in diagnosis of CLL are kappa, lambda, CD38,19, 45, 5, 10, 20, 3, 4, 5, 7, 56, 200, 23, 43, 49d, FM7 and CD103, 123, 25, 11c.

Procedure and Prerequisites

The blood sample is taken from body by inserting small needle into vein of patient’s arm. A small amount of blood is then collected in test tube or vial. There may feel a little pain due to needle prick. No special preparations are required for the test. Relevant clinical history/physical examination findings must be sent along with the sample.