Cancer Cytogenetics: Methods and Protocols

Description

Cytogenetic studies of malignancy have become an essential tool in the clinical management of cancer patients, but they are not uniformly utilized, even in well-developed countries. In Cancer Cytogenetics: Methods and Protocols, experienced cytogeneticists describe in step-by-step detail the key cytogenetic and FISH techniques used by modern clinical laboratories in the genetic analysis of human malignancies, as well as explain how best to interpret the results. The book's practical advice and methods are suitable for use at every level of expertise, including fully established laboratories, but with a sympathetic bias toward anyone considering setting up a new cytogenetics service. Here the reader will find not only elementary tutorials on the fundamentals of human karyotypes and chromosome analysis, but also detailed discussions on how laboratories may optimally upgrade their repertoire of available capabilities to include such newer complementary techniques as CGH, FISH, and M-FISH. Each protocol contains many novel ideas and time-saving techniques, expert commentary, tricks of the trade, alternative approaches, and suggestions that will help yield the results that clinicians want. Eminently practical for every stage of diagnostic service, Cancer Cytogenetics: Methods and Protocols offers hospital and other pathology laboratories a user-friendly collection of both standard and advanced techniques, all carefully designed to improve the diagnosis and clinical management of cancer patients today.