How common is it to have a negative flow cytometry result for clonal cells alongside a positive Congo red stain in an AL amyloidosis bone marrow biopsy?
This is a great and nuanced question. The available information here doesn't cover the specific frequency of negative flow cytometry with a positive Congo red result in AL Show Full Answer
How common is it to have a negative flow cytometry result for clonal cells alongside a positive Congo red stain in an AL amyloidosis bone marrow biopsy?
This is a great and nuanced question. The available information here doesn't cover the specific frequency of negative flow cytometry with a positive Congo red result in AL amyloidosis bone marrow biopsies. That's a fairly specialized diagnostic detail best discussed directly with a hematologist familiar with amyloidosis.
What is known is that diagnosing AL amyloidosis involves multiple tests working together, and no single test tells the whole story. Here's what the diagnostic process generally involves for AL amyloidosis:
- Congo red stain on a biopsy sample confirms amyloid deposits — a green appearance under a special microscope is a positive result
- Bone marrow biopsy checks for abnormal plasma cells
- Flow cytometry helps identify clonal (abnormal) plasma cells
- Serum free light-chain assay and immunofixation electrophoresis look for abnormal light-chain proteins in blood or urine
It's worth raising this specific discrepancy directly with your care team, as they can interpret your full picture and determine next steps.
July 24
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