FISH - Fluorescence in situ hybridization

Abstract

FLUORESCENCE in situ hybridization (FISH) has expanded the role of cytogenetics in cancer diagnosis and research and transformed traditional cytogenetics into molecular cytogenetics. It detects and localizes specific DNA sequences in cells and enables rapid and accurate screening of a large number of cells for the presence of specific chromosomal abnormalities. Because most cancer cells are associated with chromosomal abnormalities, FISH is a potentially powerful tool to monitor the effectiveness of therapy and provide valuable diagnostic and prognostic information.