Introduction:

Flow cytometry is an advanced, objective and highly sensitive technique that allows simultaneous quantification and analysis of multiple cellular parameters. It is widely used in the study of malignant hemopathies. In recent years, it has proved very useful in the identification and immunophenotypic characterization of chronic lymphoproliferative syndromes. These conditions belong to a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by monoclonal expansion of mature lymphoid cells.

Objectives:

To analyze the general aspects of flow cytometry application to the study and immunophenotypic classification of chronic lymphoproliferative syndromes.

Methods:

A bibliographic-documentary research about the topic was carried out. We consulted the SciELO and Pubmed databases.

Information analysis and synthesis:

The technical aspects of the flow cytometry are described, from obtaining and processing the samples to the cytometer’s generating the report; as well as the technique’s application to the immunophenotypic characterization of chronic lymphoproliferative syndromes. Multiparametric flow cytometry has become one of the diagnostic methods for this syndrome. One of the main objectives of the immunophenotypic study by flow cytometry is to rule out whether this population of B cells is clonal or not.

Conclusions:

Flow cytometry allows the analysis, interpretation and immunophenotypic classification of chronic lymphoproliferative syndromes. It is a useful tool that supports the diagnosis and monitoring of these patients.

        · |     · |     · ( pdf )