ABSTRACT
Flow cytometry (FC) plays an indispensable role in a multimethodology approach to diagnosis of hematologic tumors, by providing data on the immunophenotype, the extent of involvement, prognosis, and post-treatment monitoring. Multiparameter FC measures simultaneously several surface and/or intracytoplasmic markers on a single cell, allowing for an accurate phenotypic characterization of analyzed population(s). FC immunophenotyping includes the evaluation of the expression of specific antigens (markers) along with light scatter properties of the cells. Additionally, FC can be used to analyze DNA ploidy, proliferation (S-phase), and programmed cell death (apoptosis). Occasional lymphoproliferative disorders, plasma cell tumors as well as granulocytes with decreased granularity and microgranular APL have similar CD45 versus SSC characteristics. Abbreviations : AML, acute myeloid leukemia; APL, acute promyelocytic leukemia; CML, chronic myeloid leukemia.
