Introduction

The Laboratory Oncology Unit is the laboratory division of the Dr. BRAIRCH. It was started in October 1991, in order to give the IRCH its own laboratory so as to meet its highly specialized laboratory needs in the best possible manner. This was formalized by including a laboratory devoted exclusively to cancer, in the IRCH Development Plan of 1992-93. Its focus so far, mainly, but not exclusively, has been Hemato-oncopathology.

Starting from hemogram, bone marrow and peripheral blood smear studies in 1992, laboratory has grown multidimensional with new investigations being introduced at regular intervals. Multi-parametric flowcytometry with emphasis on minimal residual disease detection, Molecular studies including state of art molecular cytogenetics using array CGH and next-generation sequencing and Multiple Myeloma laboratories of this department are some of the unique laboratory sections of this department.

The laboratory conducts around 1,11,831 tests per year. Due to its fast and expert handling of difficult and challenging cases and because of some expertise being uniquely available here, Laboratory Oncology serves as referral laboratory not only for IRCH, but for other departments and Centers of the AIIMS main hospital.