Introduction

The Department of Onco-Haematopathology (erstwhile Laboratory Onccology Unit), Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital (Dr. BRA IRCH), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, is a premier referral department dedicated to the diagnosis, prognostication, and laboratory evaluation of hematological malignancies and related disorders. Established in October 1991 as the Laboratory Oncology Unit, the department was created to provide specialized diagnostic support for management of cancer patients.

Over the past three decades, the department has evolved from providing routine hematology services, into a comprehensive, multidisciplinary centre offering advanced diagnostic and translational laboratory services. Today, it integrates morphology, immunophenotyping, cytogenetics, molecular pathology, proteomics and genomic technologies to provide precise diagnosis, disease classification, prognostic assessment, and therapeutic monitoring. In recognition of its sustained growth, academic excellence, and expanding clinical services, the unit was officially upgraded to the Department of Onco-Haematopathology in June 2026.

The department houses several specialized laboratories, including advanced multiparametric flow cytometry with expertise in measurable (minimal) residual disease (MRD) detection, molecular diagnostics, and dedicated laboratories for plasma cell disorders, including Multiple Myeloma. These state-of-the-art facilities support precision oncology and enable comprehensive evaluation of hematological malignancies according to contemporary international standards.

In addition to providing high-quality diagnostic services, the department is actively engaged in postgraduate teaching, clinical and translational research, and the development of innovative diagnostic approaches. The department serves as a major referral centre not only for Dr. BRA IRCH but also for various departments and centres within AIIMS.