What is the Role of Cytogenetics in Cancer Diagnosis?
In cancer diagnosis, cytogenetics plays a pivotal role in identifying chromosomal abnormalities that are characteristic of different types of cancers. By analyzing the genetic material within tumor cells, cytogenetic techniques can detect translocations, deletions, amplifications, and other structural changes. This information is crucial for accurate diagnosis, prognosis, and the development of targeted therapies. For example, the Philadelphia chromosome, a specific translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22, is a hallmark of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).
