Hematology

Taking place on October 3–4, 2023, in Rochester, Minnesota, the Classical Hematology 2023 conference focuses on addressing the evaluation of frequently encountered blood count abnormalities. The conference will also provide the latest updates on the diagnosis and management of common and rare nonmalignant blood disorders.

In this month's "Hot Topic," David Murray, M.D., Ph.D., reviews the role of urine testing for monoclonal gammopathies and discusses Mayo Clinic’s use of MASS-FIX to replace traditional immunofixation testing.

In this test-specific episode of the "Answers From the Lab" podcast, Rong He, M.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' IDHQ test improves upon next generation sequencing for assessing AML treatment options.

Utilizing testing capabilities of two separate laboratory facilities, Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ new serotonin release assay (SRA) is a gold-standard test supported by decades of clinical hematopathologic experience and advanced mass spectrometry testing.

Kenneth Hobby assumed his fever, fatigue, and aching pains in May 2018 were from another bout of malaria. He was on one of his frequent visits to Zambia in southern Africa, where the mosquito-borne parasite is common. But anti-malaria drugs didn't help, and soon Kenneth had such disabling pain that he could barely walk.

Rong He, M.D., describes how Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ NPM1Q assay detects all known forms of a genetic mutation found in about 30% of people with acute myeloid leukemia, or AML. Identifying the NPM1 mutation is critical for clinical decision-making.

Rajiv Pruthi, M.B.B.S., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ serotonin release assay achieves high sensitivity and specificity while avoiding the use of radioactive materials. Serotonin release testing is an important tool in the diagnosis of heparin induced thrombocytopenia, or HIT, which can have devastating consequences for patients.

In this month's "Hot Topic," Rajiv Pruthi, M.B.B.S., discusses heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), approach diagnosis, and the role of the functional serotonin release assay (SRA).

In this month's "Hot Topic," Jess Peterson, M.D., discusses changes to Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ hematology FISH menu to increase awareness, provide reasoning, and highlight some of the great things that are coming.

Michelle Kluge, M.S., CGC, explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ CYPZ assay provides accurate testing for congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Using an in-depth methodology that incorporates Sanger sequencing, MCL can provide clear answers for carriers and individuals clinically affected by the most common form of CAH.

Andrew Feldman, M.D., discusses the different tools and techniques Mayo Clinic Laboratories uses to accurately diagnose and classify T-cell lymphomas to help provide clinicians with the diagnostic answers they need to treat their patients.

On Oct. 6‒8, 2021, Mayo Clinic Laboratories is hosting its 17th Bleeding and Thrombosing Diseases Conference and Workshop, and on Oct. 8-9, 2021, we’re also hosting a Non-Malignant Hematology Conference. Both conferences will be held in-person in Rochester, Minnesota, and also live-streamed online.

For patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) — the most common leukemia in adults — advanced testing can not only provide valuable information about their disease state, but peace of mind in the face of a progressive, incurable illness. Oftentimes, however, complex molecular and genetic tests to identify biomarker cues about disease trajectory and treatment intolerance are not performed, putting patients at risk for unmet expectations and unsatisfactory outcomes.