ABSTRACT

Clinical cytogenetics is a medical specialty. Physicians integrate the testing for chromosomal abnormalities into the care of children with congenital abnormalities (Chapter 7) , expectant mothers (Chapter 8), and young couples hoping to become parents (Chapter 1 0) . Cytogenetic diagnosis has become the standard of care in the diagnosis and management of leukemia (Chapter 1 1 ) , for many types of lymphoma (Chapter 1 2) , and may even be essential for some solid tumors (Chapters 14 and 15 ) . A karyotypic analysis of a patient' s genetic constitution carries lifelong implications for that individual . The analysis must be accurate, reproducible, and communicated with clarity. The referring physician must have full confidence in the testing facility chosen.