The result of the t(2;5) translocation is the formation of the NPM/ALK hybrid gene which is an indication of the non-Hodgkin type lymphoma (NHL). It is observed in over 50% of adult patients presenting with NHL and in 10% of children and teenagers with an average age of 16 years old.
The translocation is detected through FISH, using specific custom-labeled DNA probes, from at least 100 bone marrow cell nuclei.
This test may also be applied in combination with:
- Karyotype analysis of bone marrow cells, combined with molecular detection of multiple chromosomal rearrangements
- Multicolor karyotype (M-FISH)