Karyotyping for Bone Marrow/Leukaemic Blood Test
About Karyotyping for Bone Marrow/Leukaemic Blood Test
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Bone Marrow Cytogenetic Analysis, Chromosome Analysis (Haematological Disorders), Karyotype for Leukaemia, Cytogenetic Karyotyping (Bone Marrow) |
| Sample Type | Bone marrow aspirate (collected at clinic) and peripheral blood (collected via home visit or clinic) |
| Fasting Required | No |
| Report Time | 12 days |
| Recommended For | Adults and children of any gender with suspected or confirmed haematological malignancies |
| Price | Starting at ₹3,800 |
What Is a Karyotyping for Bone Marrow/Leukaemic Blood Test?
The Karyotyping for Bone Marrow/Leukaemic blood test is a specialised laboratory analysis that examines the chromosomes in cells taken from bone marrow or circulating blood. It is used to identify abnormal chromosomal changes associated with blood cancers such as leukaemia. The test is also known as Bone Marrow Cytogenetic Analysis or Chromosome Analysis for Haematological Disorders. A bone marrow sample and a peripheral blood sample are both collected for this test.
What Does a Karyotyping for Bone Marrow/Leukaemic Blood Test Measure?
This test analyses the chromosomes present in bone marrow or leukaemic blood cells. Chromosomes are studied after being stained using a technique called G-banding, which makes their structure visible under a microscope.
The following aspects are examined:
| What Is Assessed | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Chromosome number | Confirms whether cells contain the normal 46 chromosomes or an abnormal count (too many or too few) |
| Structural abnormalities | Detects translocations (pieces of chromosomes exchanged), deletions (missing segments), duplications, and inversions |
| Clonal abnormalities | Identifies whether the same chromosomal change is repeated across multiple cells, suggesting a malignant clone |
| Leukaemia-associated changes | Spots specific markers such as the Philadelphia chromosome, a translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22 |
Why Is a Karyotyping for Bone Marrow/Leukaemic Blood Test Done?
Doctors order this test when there is reason to suspect a blood cancer or when monitoring a known diagnosis. Below are the key reasons it may be prescribed.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
Several symptoms can prompt a doctor to request this test. The following are among the most common:
- Unexplained and persistent fatigue
- Unusual or easy bleeding and bruising
- Frequent or recurring infections
- Persistent fever without a clear cause
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Bone pain
- Unintentional weight loss
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The Karyotyping for Bone Marrow/Leukaemic blood test procedure can help identify a range of blood and bone marrow conditions, including:
- Acute leukaemia (both acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and acute myeloid leukaemia)
- Chronic myeloid leukaemia, where the Philadelphia chromosome is present in 90 to 95% of cases
- Myelodysplastic syndromes, where the bone marrow fails to produce enough healthy blood cells
- Myeloproliferative neoplasms, where the bone marrow overproduces blood cells
- Lymphomas that have spread to the bone marrow
Karyotyping for Bone Marrow/Leukaemic Blood Test for Chronic Disease Monitoring
This test is not a one-time investigation for many patients. It may be repeated at set intervals during leukaemia treatment to check how well the treatment is working, to confirm remission, or to detect relapse.
It can also identify clonal evolution, meaning the appearance of new chromosomal changes over time.
Your haematologist will advise when and how often repeat testing is needed.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
No special preparation is needed for this test. The steps below explain what happens before, during, and after sample collection.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required for the Karyotyping for Bone Marrow/Leukaemic blood test. You can eat and drink normally before the procedure.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
A few simple steps will help ensure the test goes smoothly:
- Bring a detailed clinical history including your symptoms, previous test results, and family history, as this is required for the test
- Inform your doctor of all medications and supplements you are currently taking, as some can affect chromosome analysis
- If you have recently received chemotherapy, let the laboratory know, as it can affect how chromosomes appear in the analysis
- Stay well hydrated before sample collection
- Bring previous medical reports and imaging results to assist the doctor with interpretation
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing for easy access during bone marrow collection
Step-by-Step Procedure
This test requires two samples: a bone marrow sample collected at the clinic and a peripheral blood sample.
Bone Marrow Sample (Clinic Visit Required):
- You lie on your side or stomach on the procedure table. The doctor administers a local anaesthetic to numb the area, usually around the top of the hip bone.
- A needle is carefully inserted into the hip bone to withdraw approximately 3 ml of bone marrow aspirate into a sodium heparin (green-top) tube.
- You may feel pressure or brief discomfort during the withdrawal. The anaesthetic reduces pain.
- The sample is labelled and stored at 2 to 8°C for transport to the laboratory.
- In the lab, cells are cultured for 24 to 48 hours, then stained using G-banding to make the chromosomes visible under the microscope.
- A cytogeneticist examines a minimum of 20 metaphase cells and prepares a detailed karyogram (chromosome map).
Peripheral Blood Sample (Home Collection Available):
- A trained phlebotomist collects approximately 3 ml of blood from a vein in your arm into an EDTA (lavender-top) tube.
- The sample is stored at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius and dispatched promptly to the laboratory for processing alongside the bone marrow sample.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors can affect how reliable or complete the results are:
- Low number of nucleated (dividing) cells in the sample
- Delay between sample collection and laboratory processing
- Prior chemotherapy, which can alter chromosome appearance
- Poor quality of metaphase spreads obtained during culture
- Use of peripheral blood alone when circulating blast cells are insufficient
Understanding Your Karyotyping for Bone Marrow/Leukaemic Blood Test Results
Your results will be reviewed and explained by your haematologist or oncologist. The table below outlines what a normal result looks like.
| Parameter | Normal Result | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Karyotype (Female) | 46,XX | Normal female chromosome constitution; no clonal abnormalities detected |
| Karyotype (Male) | 46,XY | Normal male chromosome constitution; no clonal abnormalities detected |
Disclaimer: These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
A normal result means no extra, missing, or structurally altered chromosomes were found in the cells analysed. In the context of leukaemia, a normal karyotype indicates no clonal chromosomal abnormalities were detected in the malignant cell population.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain circumstances can influence how results are interpreted:
- If you have recently received chemotherapy, chromosome images may show treatment-related changes that can complicate analysis.
- If you received a bone marrow transplant from a donor of the opposite sex, this must be noted on the request form, as the donor's chromosomes will be present in the sample.
- A normal result on peripheral blood alone does not rule out disease. Abnormal cells may not be circulating in sufficient numbers, even when disease is active in the bone marrow.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
The following general wellness habits support blood health and overall wellbeing:
- Eat a balanced diet that includes iron-rich foods, vitamins, and adequate protein to support bone marrow function
- Attend all follow-up appointments with your haematologist as recommended
- Avoid prolonged exposure to known risk factors such as benzene and unnecessary radiation
Lupin Diagnostics Karyotyping for Bone Marrow/Leukaemic Blood Test Price
The Karyotyping for Bone Marrow/Leukaemic blood test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹3,800. The bone marrow sample must be collected at a Lupin Diagnostics centre or clinic. The peripheral blood sample can be collected at home by a certified phlebotomist.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 3800 |
| CHENNAI | 3800 |
| HYDERABAD | 3800 |
| KOLKATA | 3800 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 3800 |
| PUNE | 3800 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
The following steps explain how to book this test:
- Select the Karyotyping for Bone Marrow/Leukaemic blood test online booking option on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location for the bone marrow collection appointment.
- For the peripheral blood sample, opt for home sample collection by a certified phlebotomist, or visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within 12 days of sample collection.
Home Collection
Home collection is available for the peripheral blood component of this test across multiple cities. The bone marrow sample must be collected at a Lupin Diagnostics centre by a trained medical professional. All samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories, and reports are accessible digitally via email or WhatsApp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bone marrow is the preferred sample because it contains a higher concentration of dividing leukaemic cells, making chromosomal abnormalities easier to detect. Peripheral blood may also be collected to complement the analysis, especially when circulating blast cells are present in sufficient numbers.
The cells collected must be cultured in the laboratory for 24 to 48 hours to produce enough dividing cells for analysis. After culture, chromosomes are stained, photographed, and examined by a specialist. Quality checks and expert reporting add further time to the process.
Bone marrow collection can cause pressure or brief discomfort, but a local anaesthetic is given beforehand to minimise pain. Most patients find the procedure tolerable. The peripheral blood draw is a routine procedure and causes minimal discomfort.
No. A normal karyotype means no chromosomal abnormalities were detected by this method, but it does not rule out all forms of leukaemia. Some genetic changes are too small for standard karyotyping to detect. Your doctor may recommend additional molecular tests such as PCR or FISH for a more complete picture.
The Philadelphia chromosome, caused by a translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22, is found in the vast majority of chronic myeloid leukaemia cases. In acute myeloid leukaemia, specific translocations such as t(8;21), t(15;17), and inv(16) are used to classify disease subtypes and guide treatment decisions.
Possibly. Repeat karyotyping is often performed at set intervals during treatment to confirm remission, detect any signs of relapse, or identify new chromosomal changes that may affect the treatment plan. Your haematologist will advise the appropriate schedule.
If the laboratory cannot obtain enough dividing cells to analyse, the test may be inconclusive. This can happen with samples that have low cell counts or were delayed in transit. Your doctor may request a repeat sample or suggest an alternative test such as FISH or molecular analysis.
Karyotyping for Bone Marrow/Leukaemic Blood Test
