THE ROLE OF CYTOLOGY, CYTOCHEMISTRY, IMMUNOPHENOTYPING AND CYTOGENETIC ANALYSIS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF HEMATOLOGICAL NEOPLASMS

Cytology, cytochemistry, immunophenotyping and cytogenetic analysis ha ve specific roles in the diagnosis and management of various haematolo gical neoplasms. Careful examination of Romanowsky-stained films of bl ood and bone marrow is fundamental in all haematological diagnosis and , when considered together with clinical and haematological features, indicates which of the more specialized techniques are most likely to be useful. The major role of cytochemistry is in the diagnosis of acut e myeloid leukaemia and the myelodysplastic syndromes. The major role of immunophenotyping is in the diagnosis of the chronic lymphoprolifer ative disorders and of acute leukaemia which is not obviously myeloid. Cytogenetic analysis has a role in confirming the diagnosis of chroni c granulocytic leukaemia and gives important supplementary information in the acute leukaemias and the myelodysplastic syndromes.