Abstract
Cytogenetic and molecular genetic data are of paramount importance in the diagnosis, prognosis, and risk stratification of patients with malignant diseases. Sometimes they even directly guide the choice of therapy.
Disease-specific abnormalities, particularly translocations, can provide essential information to assist the Pathologist and/or Oncologist in assigning a diagnosis. In several diseases, tumour genetics correlate strongly with clinical risk; thus, cytogenetic information may help the Oncologist counsel the patient, choose a specific treatment, and/or modulate treatment intensity.
Clinical trials may involve cytogenetic classification of patients to the appropriate treatment regimens