A Brain tumor is an abnormal growth of cells inside the brain or nearby structures. It can be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). The term is commonly used in neurology, neurosurgery, and oncology to describe a mass seen on brain imaging. It also describes a clinical condition that may affect thinking, movement, sensation, or other neurologic functions.
CALR mutation is a change in the **CALR (calreticulin)** gene found in some blood cancers. It most often comes up when clinicians evaluate **myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs)**, which are cancers where the bone marrow makes too many blood cells. CALR mutation testing is typically done on **blood or bone marrow** samples. Results help clinicians classify disease and guide overall care planning.
Karyotype analysis is a laboratory test that looks at chromosomes inside cells. It checks the number and structure of chromosomes to find large genetic changes. It is commonly used in oncology and hematology to help diagnose certain blood cancers. It is also used in reproductive and prenatal genetics to evaluate inherited chromosome differences.
A FISH panel is a group of laboratory tests that use fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to look for specific DNA changes in cells. It helps identify certain gene rearrangements, gains, losses, or amplifications that can matter in cancer diagnosis and treatment planning. FISH panel testing is commonly used on tumor tissue, blood, or bone marrow in oncology and hematology-oncology. Results are typically interpreted alongside the pathology report and other staging and biomarker tests.
A Cytogenetic panel is a group of laboratory tests that look at chromosomes in cells. It helps detect chromosome changes that can drive or characterize certain cancers. It is commonly used in hematology-oncology (blood cancers) and in some solid tumors. Results are interpreted alongside pathology, imaging, and other molecular tests.
Flow cytometry MRD is a laboratory test that looks for very small numbers of cancer cells that can remain after treatment. It is most commonly used in blood cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. It helps clinicians assess how well therapy worked beyond what a microscope can usually detect. It is performed on samples like bone marrow or blood, depending on the cancer and clinical question.
A Minimal residual disease assay is a test used to look for tiny amounts of cancer cells that can remain after treatment. It is most commonly discussed in blood cancers, where it can detect disease that is not visible under a microscope. Depending on the cancer and the assay type, it may use blood, bone marrow, or other samples. Clinicians use it to better understand response to therapy and risk of relapse over time.
A Circulating tumor DNA test is a blood-based laboratory test that looks for small fragments of tumor DNA in the bloodstream. It is often described as a type of “liquid biopsy,” because it can provide cancer-related genetic information without taking tumor tissue. It is commonly used in oncology to help guide treatment selection and to monitor disease over time. How informative it is can vary by cancer type and stage.
EBER ISH is a laboratory test used to detect Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) within cells in a tissue sample. It stands for “EBV-encoded RNA in situ hybridization.” It is most often performed by pathology labs on biopsy or surgical specimens in cancer evaluation. It helps clinicians understand whether EBV is present in tumor cells and in what pattern.
p16 IHC is a laboratory test performed on tissue under a microscope. It uses immunohistochemistry (IHC) to detect the p16 protein inside cells. p16 IHC is most commonly used in surgical pathology to help classify certain tumors and precancerous changes. In some settings, it also supports evaluation of cancers linked to human papillomavirus (HPV).