T-Cell Receptor Gene Rearrangement
- Also Known As:
- T-cell Gene Clonality
- TCR Gene Rearrangement
- TCGR

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At a Glance
Why Get Tested?
To help diagnose a T-cell lymphoma; sometimes to detect and evaluate residual lymphoma cells
When To Get Tested?
When a health care practitioner thinks that you may have a T-cell lymphoma; when a healthcare practitioner would like to assess whether treatment has been effective and/or whether lymphoma has recurred
Sample Required?
A bone marrow, tissue such as a lymph node (biopsy), or body fluid sample; sometimes a blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm
Test Preparation Needed?
None
What is being tested?
This test detects characteristic changes (rearrangements) in specific genes in T-cells. This information can be helpful in diagnosing a T-cell lymphoma.
T-cells are a type of lymphocyte (a kind of white blood cell, WBC) that helps to protect the body from infection. Rearrangements in certain parts of their DNA called receptor genes are a normal part of their development. These rearrangements are associated with the development of a large repertoire of diverse T-cells, allowing them to protect against many different kinds of infections. The final order in which the genes are rearranged is called a gene rearrangement profile. Within any normal population (sample) of T-cells, the cells and their gene rearrangement profiles are very diverse.
In lymphoma, the T-cells in affected tissue (such as blood, lymph node, or skin) are identical and their gene rearrangement profiles are likewise identical. Lymphomas arise when an abnormal T-cell begins to produce numerous identical copies of itself (clones). The cloned cells grow and divide uncontrollably, crowding out normal cells.
A T-cell receptor gene rearrangement test evaluates the T-cells in a person’s sample to determine whether the majority of T-cell rearrangement profiles are diverse or identical. This information, along with clinical signs and symptoms and results of other laboratory tests, can help clarify a person’s diagnosis, or evaluate for persistent, residual, or recurrent lymphoma.
Most non-Hodgkin lymphomas in the U.S. are B-cell lymphomas (about 85%), according to the American Cancer Society. Close to 15% are T-cell lymphomas. There are many different types of T-cell lymphomas, but each is rare.
For additional details about T-cells and this testing, see Common Questions below.
How is the sample collected for testing?
A bone marrow, lymph node, or other tissue biopsy procedure is performed by a doctor or other trained specialist. Body fluid samples are obtained through collection of the fluid in a container by inserting a needle into the body cavity and aspirating a portion of the fluid with a syringe. Sometimes, a blood sample is obtained by inserting a needle into a vein in the arm.
Common Questions
Related Content
Elsewhere on the Web
Lymphoma Research Foundation: T-Cell Lymphomas
American Society of Clinical Oncology: Types of Cancer
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: Lymphoma
American Cancer Society: Lymphoma
National Cancer Institute: Lymphoma
MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
National Cancer Institute: Mycosis Fungoides and the Sézary Syndrome Treatment
View Sources
Sources Used in Current Review
(2017 March 24 Revised). Types of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. American Cancer Society. Available online at https://www.cancer.org/cancer/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/about/types-of-non-hodgkin-lymphoma.html. Accessed on 05/01/17.
(© 1995–2017). T-Cell Receptor Gene Rearrangement, PCR, Blood. Mayo Clinic Mayo Medical Laboratories. Available online at http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/83122. Accessed on 05/01/17.
Chitgopeken, P. and Sahni, D. (2014 April). T-Cell Receptor Gene Rearrangement Detection in Suspected Cases of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma. Journal of Investigative Dermatology (2014), Volume 134. Available online at http://www.jidonline.org/article/S0022-202X(15)36699-9/fulltext?cc=y=. Accessed on 05/01/17.
Yu, Y. et. al. (2015 October 7). LymAnalyzer: a tool for comprehensive analysis of next generation sequencing data of T cell receptors and immunoglobulins. Nucleic Acids Res. 2016 Feb 29; 44(4): e31. Available online at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4770197/. Accessed on 05/01/17.
Pinter-Brown, L. and Schwartz, R. (2016 January 15 Updated). Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma. Medscape Drugs & Diseases. Available online at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2139720-overview. Accessed on 05/01/17.
Kelley, T. et. al. (2017 April, Updated). Lymphomas, T-Cell/NK-Cell – T-Cell/NK-Cell Lymphomas. ARUP Consult. Available online at https://arupconsult.com/content/lymphomas-t-cellnk-cell/?tab=tab_item-0. Accessed on 05/01/17.
Issuree, P. et. al. (2017 March 22). Heritable Gene Regulation in the CD4:CD8 T Cell Lineage Choice. Front Immunol. 2017; 8: 291. Available online at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5360760/. Accessed on 05/01/17.
Sources Used in Previous Reviews
Leonard, D. G. B., Editor (© 2009). Molecular Pathology in Clinical Practice: Oncology. Springer Science + Business Media, LLC., New York, NY. Pp 195-201.
(© 1995-2012). Test ID: TCGR83122 T-Cell Receptor Gene Rearrangement, PCR, Blood. Mayo Clinic Mayo Medical Laboratories [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/print/83122. Accessed July 2012.
Bahler, D. et. al. (Updated 2012 May). Lymphomas, T/NK-Cell – T/NK-Cell Lymphomas. ARUP Consult [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.arupconsult.com/Topics/LymphomasTCell.html#tabs=0. Accessed June 2012.
Pinter-Brown. L. (Updated 2011 May 17). Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma Overview of CTCL. Medscape Reference [On-line information]. Available online at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/209091-overview. Accessed June 2012.
Weissmann, D. (Revised 2006 May 18). Hematopathology, T-Cell Lymphomas. University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey [On-line information]. Available online at http://pleiad.umdnj.edu/~dweiss/T-cell/T-cell.html. Accessed July 2012.
Hodges, E. et. al. (2003) Diagnostic role of tests for T cell receptor (TCR) genes. Clin Pathol v 56:1-11 doi:10.1136/jcp.56.1.1 [On-line information]. Available online at http://jcp.bmjjournals.com/content/56/1/1.full. Accessed July 2012.
Zhu, D. et. al. (2001). Detection of Clonal T-Cell Receptor-gamma Gene Rearrangement by PCR/Temporal Temperature Gradient Gel Electrophoresis. Am J Clin Pathol 2001;116:527-534 [On-line information]. PDF available for download at http://ajcp.ascpjournals.org/content/116/4/527.full.pdf. Accessed July 2012.
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Kim, Y. (Revised 2011 October). Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma Facts. Leukemia and Lymphoma Society [On-line information]. PDF available for download at http://www.lls.org/content/nationalcontent/resourcecenter/freeeducationmaterials/lymphoma/pdf/cutaneoustcelllymphoma.pdf. Accessed July 2012.
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(2011 December). T-Cell Receptor (TCR) Gene Rearrangement. Quest Diagnostics [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.questdiagnostics.com/testcenter/testguide.action?fn=Leuk_Lymph/TH_T-Cell.htm&redirectFrom=search. Accessed June 2012.
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