Understanding Your Laboratory Test: A Patient's Guide to What It Is and Why It Matters
This test uses flow cytometry to detect and measure abnormal cell populations with unusual chromosome numbers during the G2 phase of cell division.
{"Flow cytometry analyzes individual cells as they pass through a laser beam","G2 phase is a stage in the cell cycle just before cell division","Aneuploidy means cells have an abnormal number of chromosomes","This test helps evaluate cellular abnormalities","Results help healthcare providers assess cell health and function"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 77660-9
- Short code
- ANEUG2
- Synonyms
- Aneu cell pop 2 in G2 NFr Cells.XXX FC
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Specimen-specific container: EDTA (lavender-top) tube for peripheral blood or bone marrow; sterile container for tissue or fluid specimens; RPMI or similar transport medium for tissue biopsies
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- flow-cytometry
- CPT
- 88187, 88188, 88189 (Flow cytometry interpretation codes; specific CPT depends on number of markers and complexity)
- SNOMED
- 395134009 |Hematology test| or 115605002 |Flow cytometry test|
- Specimen volume
- Variable by specimen type: 3-5 mL peripheral blood or bone marrow aspirate in EDTA; 1-2 mL body fluids; fresh tissue sample (minimum 0.5 cm³) in transport medium
- Stability
- Peripheral blood/bone marrow: 24-48 hours at room temperature (18-25°C); Tissue specimens: process within 24 hours; Fixed cells can be stored longer per laboratory protocol. Do not freeze unfixed specimens.
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test and why has my doctor recommended it for me?
The Aneuploid Cell Population test is a specialized laboratory analysis performed using flow cytometry. Flow cytometry is a technique that passes cells through a laser beam one at a time, allowing scientists to measure various properties of each cell, including its size, internal complexity, and genetic material content.
How does this test work and what happens to my sample once it reaches the laboratory?
During the test, cells from your blood sample are stained with special dyes that bind to DNA. As the cells pass through the flow cytometer, the instrument measures the DNA content in each cell. The G2 phase represents a specific point in the cell cycle where cells have doubled their DNA content in preparation for division. The test identifies cells in this phase that have abnormal amounts of genetic material, which may indicate chromosomal abnormalities.
Why is this test ordered and what health conditions can it help detect, diagnose, or monitor?
This test may be ordered to help evaluate conditions related to abnormal cell division, investigate certain cancers or blood disorders, or monitor disease progression. Your healthcare provider will determine if this test is appropriate for your specific situation.
What should I expect before, during, and after this test is performed?
A healthcare professional will collect a blood sample from a vein in your arm. The collection process typically takes just a few minutes. You may experience minor discomfort or bruising at the puncture site. Results are usually available within a few days to a week, depending on the laboratory.
Reference range
Reference ranges for aneuploid cell populations vary by laboratory and specimen type; results are typically reported as percentage of total cells analyzed with DNA index. Generally, no aneuploid populations are detected in normal diploid specimens (DNA index = 1.0). Any detectable aneuploid population is considered abnormal and warrants clinical correlation.N/A
No special patient preparation required. Fasting is not necessary. Specimens should be collected under sterile conditions. For bone marrow or peripheral blood specimens, anticoagulant type and timing of collection relative to therapy should be documented.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Detection of aneuploid cell populations may indicate genetic abnormalities that could be associated with various conditions including certain cancers, genetic disorders, or bone marrow diseases. The presence of abnormal cell populations in G2 phase can provide valuable diagnostic and prognostic information. Your healthcare provider will interpret these results in the context of your overall clinical picture and other test findings.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast before this test?
Are there any risks with this test?
How long will it take to get results?
What do the results mean?
Sources
- 1
- 2
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy