MDM2 Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About MDM2 Test
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | MDM2 Gene Amplification by FISH, MDM2 FISH Test, Mouse Double Minute 2 Amplification Test, MDM2 gene amplification test |
| Sample Type | Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumour tissue |
| Fasting Required | No |
| Report Time | 8 Days |
| Recommended For | Adults of any gender with suspected soft tissue or bone tumours |
| Price | Starting at ₹9,000 |
What is an MDM2 Test?
The MDM2 test detects amplification of the MDM2 gene in tumour tissue using a technique called fluorescence in situ hybridisation, or FISH. Doctors order this test when a patient has a suspected soft tissue or bone tumour and a tissue sample has already been obtained through biopsy or surgery. It is also referred to as the MDM2 FISH test or the MDM2 Gene Amplification by FISH test. The sample used is a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block, not a blood or urine sample.
What Does a MDM2 Test Measure?
This test examines tumour tissue at the chromosomal level to identify specific gene changes. The key parameters it assesses are listed below.
| Parameter | What It Tells Us |
|---|---|
| MDM2 gene amplification | Whether extra copies of the MDM2 gene are present at the chromosomal region 12q15 |
| MDM2:CEP12 ratio | The ratio of MDM2 gene signals to chromosome 12 centromere signals is used to confirm whether amplification is present |
| MDM2 protein role | MDM2 is an oncogene (a gene that can drive cancer growth) that suppresses the activity of p53, a key protein that normally prevents tumour development |
Why is an MDM2 Test Done?
A doctor may order the MDM2 FISH test when tissue examination raises concern about a soft tissue or bone tumour. The sections below outline the common reasons for requesting this test.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
The following symptoms may prompt a doctor to investigate further and order this test as part of the diagnostic process.
- A painless lump or mass in soft tissue, often in the limbs or abdomen
- A mass that grows slowly over weeks or months
- Visible swelling in a localised area
- Numbness or restricted movement near the affected area
- Pain that develops as a tumour enlarges
- Unexplained fever, weight loss and night sweats
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
This test is used to help identify or distinguish several tumour types. It is not a general screening tool but is targeted at specific diagnostic queries.
- Well-differentiated liposarcoma and atypical lipomatous tumour (cancers arising from fatty tissue)
- Dedifferentiated liposarcoma (a more aggressive form of fatty tissue cancer)
- Parosteal osteosarcoma (a low-grade bone cancer on the bone surface) and low-grade central osteosarcoma
- Distinguishing malignant fatty tumours from benign lipomas and inflammatory lesions
- Distinguishing low-grade bone sarcomas from benign bone lesions
How to Prepare and What to Expect
The MDM2 test procedure does not require any special preparation from the patient beyond what is needed for biopsy or surgical tissue collection. The steps below explain what the process typically involves.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required for this test. Because the sample is tumour tissue (not blood or urine), dietary restrictions do not apply.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
The following points will help ensure the submitted sample is suitable for testing.
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and family history, as this is required for the test.
- Confirm with your doctor that the tissue block has been fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, as other fixatives may affect results.
- Be aware that fixation times shorter than six hours or longer than 72 hours may reduce reliability.
- If the sample involves bone tissue, inform the laboratory, as decalcified specimens have a lower success rate.
- Ask your treating doctor to submit one haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained slide along with four unstained slides cut to five-micron-thick sections.
Step-by-Step Procedure
Here is an overview of how the MDM2 test is carried out from tissue collection to result reporting.
- Tumour tissue is obtained by a doctor through biopsy or surgical excision, usually before the MDM2 test is ordered.
- The tissue is fixed in formalin (a preservative solution) and embedded in paraffin wax to create the FFPE tissue block.
- A pathologist reviews the H&E-stained slide and marks the relevant tumour areas for analysis.
- FISH is performed using fluorescent probes that attach to the MDM2 gene region (12q15) and the chromosome 12 centromere.
- Two laboratory technologists each analyse 30 cell nuclei (60 in total), counting gene signals to calculate the MDM2:CEP12 ratio.
- The tissue block is transported at ambient temperature (18 to 28 degrees Celsius) to the laboratory, and the report is issued within 8 days.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors can influence the quality of results. The list below covers the main ones.
- Cold ischaemia time (the period when tissue lacks blood supply before fixation) can degrade the sample
- Fixative type (only 10% neutral buffered formalin is acceptable)
- Fixation duration that is too short or too long
- Decalcification of bone specimens, which reduces the chance of a successful result to approximately 50%
- Insufficient tumour tissue within the submitted block
Understanding Your MDM2 Test Results
Results from the MDM2 FISH test are interpreted alongside the patient's clinical presentation, imaging findings, and histopathological examination. The table below shows the reference ranges used to evaluate this test.
| Parameter | Range | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| MDM2:CEP12 Ratio | 2.0 or below | No amplification detected (negative result) |
| MDM2:CEP12 Ratio | Above 2.0 with more than 6 MDM2 signals | MDM2 gene amplification present (positive result) |
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.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain sample conditions can affect how results are interpreted. Two situations are worth noting.
- Bone specimens that have been decalcified will still be tested, but the success rate is approximately 50%.
- If the submitted tissue block does not contain adequate liposarcomatous (fatty tumour) tissue, amplification may not be detected even when present. A negative result does not definitively rule out well-differentiated liposarcoma, parosteal osteosarcoma, or low-grade central osteosarcoma in all cases.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
The MDM2 gene status is determined by genetic changes within tumour cells and cannot be modified through diet or lifestyle. The following general points may be useful.
- Attend all follow-up appointments scheduled by your oncologist or treating specialist.
- Keep records of previous pathology reports and imaging to assist your care team.
- Seek prompt medical attention if new lumps, swelling, or changes appear, so that timely evaluation can be arranged.
Lupin Diagnostics MDM2 Test Price and Home Collection
The MDM2 test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹9,000, and home collection is available for this test. The table below shows regional pricing info:
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 9000 |
| CHENNAI | 9000 |
| HYDERABAD | 9000 |
| KOLKATA | 9000 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 9000 |
| PUNE | 9000 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
Home Collection
Lupin Diagnostics offers home collection for this test across multiple cities. Tissue blocks and slides are collected by trained staff and dispatched to NABL-accredited laboratories for processing. Digital reports are made available via email or WhatsApp once the analysis is complete.
How to Book
Follow these quick steps to book your test:
- Select the MDM2 test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred time slot.
- Opt for home sample collection by a certified phlebotomist, or visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Frequently Asked Questions
The MDM2 test is used to help distinguish between certain fatty tissue tumours (such as well-differentiated liposarcoma) and non-cancerous fatty lumps (lipomas). It is also used to identify specific bone tumours such as parosteal osteosarcoma. It is a specialised diagnostic test and not a routine screening tool.
No new sample collection from the patient is typically required if a tissue block already exists. The sample is tumour tissue previously obtained through biopsy or surgical excision, which is then prepared as a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded block and submitted to the laboratory.
A positive result indicates that the MDM2 gene has been amplified in the tumour tissue. In the right clinical and pathological context, this may support a diagnosis of well-differentiated liposarcoma or a related tumour. However, MDM2 amplification can also occur in other cancers, so results must always be interpreted by a specialist alongside other findings.
No. A negative result means no MDM2 amplification was detected, but it does not exclude certain tumours such as low-grade central osteosarcoma or parosteal osteosarcoma. Your doctor will consider this result alongside clinical findings, imaging, and histopathology before concluding.
At Lupin Diagnostics, the report is delivered within 8 days. Turnaround times may vary slightly depending on sample quality and other laboratory factors.
Yes. Clinical history is required when submitting the sample. Your doctor should provide details of your symptoms, prior imaging or pathology findings, and relevant medical background, as this information helps the laboratory pathologist assess the results accurately.
No. The MDM2 FISH test is a specialised test ordered when a doctor already has a clinical or pathological reason to suspect a specific tumour type. It is not suitable for general cancer screening in healthy individuals.
MDM2 Test: Booking, Price, and Results
