What question did this study set out to answer?

The research aims to determine if reducing nuclei count in MDM2 FISH can maintain diagnostic accuracy.

February 22, 2026

Nuclei count and diagnostic confidence in MDM2 FISH: findings from a departmental audit

Key Points

The research aims to determine if reducing nuclei count in MDM2 FISH can maintain diagnostic accuracy.
Departmental audit evaluating MDM2:CEP12 ratio in FISH testing
Comparison of sensitivity with 20 versus 50 nuclei counted for diagnosis.
Assessment of p53 degradation linked to MDM2 amplification.
Maintained diagnostic accuracy with lower nuclei count of 20.
Sensitivity remains reliable for distinguishing atypical lipomatous tumour from benign lesions.

Abstract

Background: MDM2 amplification drives p53 degradation and is characteristic of atypical lipomatous tumour and liposarcoma, but not benign adipocytic lesions or other sarcomas. An MDM2:CEP12 ratio >2 on FISH is gold standard to define amplification, yet the required nuclei count varies widely (20–100). Our department historically counted 50 nuclei, based on Kashima (2012), 1 which reported 93% sensitivity for distinguishing ALT from benign adipocytic lesions. Taking inspiration from Gambella (2023), 2 we evaluated whether reducing the nuclei count to 20 would maintain diagnostic accuracy.

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Cite This Study

Chang et al. (Sun,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/699a534bfdaf4e3c1268ee24 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pathol.2026.01.033

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