FISH

Medical abbreviation · Hematology and Oncology

FISH
Stands forFluorescence in situ hybridization
CategoriesMedical

FISH stands for Fluorescence in situ hybridization, a hematology and oncology abbreviation also used in science.

Laboratory technique that uses fluorescent DNA probes to detect specific genes or chromosome regions in cells, revealing gene amplifications, deletions and rearrangements. It is used for HER2 amplification in breast cancer, ALK rearrangement in lung cancer and prognostic markers in leukemia and myeloma.

Example: FISH panel: del(17p) detected in 60% of CLL cells; avoid chemoimmunotherapy.

Usage notes

FISH can be performed on cells that are not dividing, unlike conventional chromosome analysis. Results are reported as ratios or percentages of cells with the abnormality, such as a HER2-to-CEP17 ratio of 2.0 or more for amplification. Break-apart probes detect gene rearrangements regardless of the partner gene.

More hematology and oncology abbreviations

  • ECOG – Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
  • EFS – Event-free survival
  • EGFR – Epidermal growth factor receptor
  • ER – Estrogen receptor
  • ET – Essential thrombocythemia
  • FFP – Fresh frozen plasma
  • FL – Follicular lymphoma
  • FLOT – Fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, docetaxel
  • FN – Febrile neutropenia
  • FOLFIRI – Folinic acid (leucovorin), fluorouracil, irinotecan
  • FOLFIRINOX – Folinic acid, fluorouracil, irinotecan, oxaliplatin
  • FOLFOX – Folinic acid (leucovorin), fluorouracil, oxaliplatin

See all 144 hematology and oncology abbreviations →

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.