Flow cytometry

A laboratory test that characterizes cells based on their immunophenotype by using antibodies that tag cell surface or nuclear epitopes. It is analogous to the concept of tissue immunohistochemistry (IHC). Advantages of flow cytometry over IHC are: quicker turn-around time, being able to evaluate multiple antibodies on a cell population simultaneously, etc. It is commonly used in diagnostic hematology to characterize hematologic malignancies (Acute Leukemias, Lymphomas, etc.).