The Clinical Genetics Laboratory located at Juravinski Hospital provides expertise and genetic testing for patients across Canada. A wide range of molecular and cytogenetic testing are completed at our laboratory; including both constitutional (inherited) and somatic (acquired) tests for a number of clinical indications. Our Laboratory Discipline Director and Clinical Laboratory Scientists are certified by either the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists or the American Board of Medical Genetics, and are leaders in the field, with notable contributions to scientific literature and research. They, along with a team of Administrative Staff, Medical Laboratory Assistants, Medical Laboratory Technologists, Technical Specialists, Genome Specialists, and a Genetic Counsellor, complete genetic tests that are critical to patient care.
Our most up to date requisitions, specimen requirements, and testing information can be found on our searchable Laboratory Test Information Guide. For additional support and/or consultation of appropriate genetic tests, please email geneticsmailbox@hhsc.ca.
Somatic Cancer Testing
Somatic Cancer Testing at the HRLMP Clinical Genetics Laboratory can be broken into two main services: hematological malignancy genetic testing and solid tumour testing.
Hematological Malignancy Testing
For hematological malignancies, we perform molecular and cytogenetic testing on peripheral blood and bone marrow specimens to assist clinicians with diagnosis, prognosis, and to inform treatment. By obtaining genetic information, treatments may be tailored and personalized to the underlying genetic cause(s), improving outcomes for many patients. We offer a wide range of tests for cancer diagnostic testing, and select follow-up tests to monitor treatment response, disease relapse, and disease progression.
Solid Tumour Testing
For somatic tumour testing, we perform molecular and cytogenetic (FISH) testing in collaboration with pathology laboratories. This testing is performed on formalin fixed and paraffin embedded tissues. We offer 14 molecular panels, including but not limited to endometrial, breast, prostate, lung, as well as FISH studies for lymphoma, sarcoma, and lung cancers. This testing assists clinicians and pathologist with diagnosis, prognosis, and may serve as important information for treatment.
Our most current requisitions and testing information can be located on our Laboratory Reference Information Guide.
Hereditary Cancer Testing
For hereditary cancer testing, our laboratory offers over 25 constitutional cancer genetics panels, comprising of select genes based on the patient’s individual and family history of cancer and in accordance with Ontario Health recommendations. This testing can help identify a cause of cancer for patients and/or their family, inform cancer care, provide cancer risk estimates, and facilitate access to necessary screening and risk reducing strategies.
Genetic testing for hereditary cancer variants must be ordered either by a genetic counsellor, geneticist, or in select cases, by a specially trained oncologist or surgeon. If your patient lives in the Greater Hamilton Area, they can be referred to the Cancer Genetics Clinic at Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre for a consult. This testing cannot currently be ordered by non-genetics professionals. If you are a genetic counsellor or geneticist and require a copy of our requisition, please email geneticsmailbox@hhsc.ca.
Constitutional Testing
For constitutional (inherited) genetic testing, our laboratory offers both cytogenetic (karyotype, QF-PCR, chromosomal microarray, and FISH) as well as molecular assays. This wide range of tests helps thousands of patients across Canada identify and understand genetic conditions that they are affected by, or carriers of. Having information from our genetic tests can be essential to improving health outcomes for these patients and their families. Within our constitutional molecular group, is the Provincial DNA Hemoglobinopathy Laboratory which is used as an Ontario reference centre with a long history of leading edge of new test development and validation, and a wealth of expertise.
Our most current requisitions and testing information can be located on our Laboratory Reference Information Guide.
Contact
Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre
Office Hours: 0800-1600
Office/Reports Phone: 905-521-2100 Ext. 75084
Laboratory Hours: 0800-1700
Constitutional Molecular Testing Laboratory
Phone: 905-521-2100 Ext. 76944
Email: moleculargenetics@hhsc.ca
All Cancer and Constitutional Cytogenetic Testing Laboratory
Phone: 905-521-2100 Ext. 73707
Email: geneticsmailbox@hhsc.ca