American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Technologist in Cytogenetics certification (ASCP CG) Practice Test

A blood sample for studying the cytogenetics of a malignancy must contain what condition?

1. Stable leukemic cells

2. Dividing leukemic cells present in circulation

3. Only normal leukocytes

4. High levels of serum proteins

The correct answer is: Dividing leukemic cells present in circulation

For cytogenetic analysis of a malignancy, the presence of dividing leukemic cells in circulation is essential. This is because cytogenetic studies, such as karyotyping, require actively dividing cells to visualize and analyze the chromosome structures. During cell division, chromosomes condense and become observable under a microscope, allowing for the detection of chromosomal abnormalities that are often associated with various malignancies. Stable leukemic cells, while important for understanding the overall condition of the patient, may not provide the necessary mitotic figures needed for cytogenetic analysis. In contrast, a sample containing only normal leukocytes would not be useful for examining the specific genetic alterations related to the malignancy. High serum protein levels may indicate a range of conditions but do not play a role in the cell division process or the quality of the cytogenetic analysis. Therefore, for effective cytogenetic evaluation, it is crucial that the sample contains dividing leukemic cells.