Aims of the service:
- Provide an efficient comprehensive diagnostic service for
haematological malignancies
- Provide effective communication with clinical haematologists
and multidisciplinary meetings (MDTs) to support an accurate
diagnosis and aid patients in their management pathway
- Provide teaching and training of medical and laboratory
staff
- Provide support for accurate data for the Somerset Cancer
Registry
- Provide and implement state of the art tecnologies as
appropriate
Foster research links with Universities
Process:
All bone marrow samples undergo a systematic initial
evaluation involving clinical, morphological and flow
assessments. Samples for molecular and cytogenetic analysis are
stored at this stage.
Results from the initial screen allow a decision algorithm to be
followed and samples are processed if required for molecular
diagnostics and if necessary sent for cytogenetics at either
Southmead Hospital, Bristol or Salisbury depending on the
investigations required.
Results are reviewed and integrated in a weekly diagnostic MDT
meeting attended by three consultant haematologists with expertise
in molecular and flow cytometry, histopathology and
haematology training grade. This allows tracking of samples in the
diagnostic pathway and culminates in a final electronic
report integrating all of the diagnostic
information.
These results are fed into two weekly clinical MDTs for patients
with Lymphoma and Myeloma/Leukaemia where the clinical management
plan for the patient is decided.
