FISH analysis of CTC and atypical cells.
A. Apparent megakaryocyte with 16n probe copy number. Note the clustering of signals in one area, indicating that the whole cluster represents a single convoluted nucleus.
B. Possible CTC cluster (microembolus of 4 cells with normal signal pattern) or megakaryocyte derivative (8n copy number), plus normal leukocyte from same sample as A. CTC from this sample showed a probable Xq isochromosome as the sole abnormality detected. Probes used: AR (orange), X centromere (aqua), MYC (red) and chromosome 8 centromere (green). C. Convoluted nucleus with 8n probe copy number, origin uncertain. Probes used: AR (orange), X centromere (aqua), MYC (green) and 8p (NAT2, red).