title: Molecular biology of leukemia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the current tests for diagnosis and the implications of cytogenetic analysis in leukemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Professional journals, books.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Leukemia is a genetic disorder with more than 500 recurring translocations. Recurrent chromosomal changes occur in more than one half of all cases of leukemia. Testing includes bone marrow biopsy and aspirate, histochemical staining, immunophenotyping, cytogenetics, and molecular markers. Characterization of specific chromosome changes provides information in determining initial therapy and post-remission therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nurses must continually educate themselves to stay current with developing technology and the results of continuing research. This professional education must then be translated to the bedside throughout the continuum of care.
authors.affiliation: Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, 691 Preston Research Bldg, Nashville, TN 37232-6868, USA.
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wujcik
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology; D001856:Bone Marrow Examination / Q000379:methods; D019046:Bone Marrow Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping / Q000379:methods; D007621:Karyotyping / Q000379:methods; D007938:Leukemia / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000451:nursing; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor