Table of Contents
Can breast biopsies be submitted in formalin?
How do you submit lymph node biopsies for lymphoma study?
Can TML transport a fetus for autopsy?
How do you submit specimens for chromosome analysis?
How is a muscle biopsy submitted?
Can breast biopsies be submitted in formalin?
Per CAP guidelines and standard quality patient care, breast tissue samples should be fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin for 6-72 hours for potential estrogen and progesterone receptor and HER2 studies.
Tissue ischemic time (the time the tissue was removed from the body until placed in formalin) must be documented on the tissue requisition.
How do you submit lymph node biopsies for lymphoma study?
Place a freshly collected tissue sample into a labeled specimen container with approximately 10 ml of RPMI media. The amount of tissue needed is approximately 0.5 ccs (smaller amounts acceptable for specimens such as GI biopsies). A separate specimen may be submitted in formalin for routine histology, or if the specimen is large enough, the specimen submitted in RPMI can be divided for flow cytometry and routine histology.
A provider may call Tulsa Medical Laboratory at (918) 281-6854 should their supply of RPMI become low, expire, or become contaminated. RPMI will be delivered with the next TML courier.
Can TML transport a fetus for autopsy?
Tulsa Medical Laboratory couriers may not transport a stillborn fetus of 20 weeks or greater. The originating facility is responsible for arranging for a funeral home to transport the stillborn to the Saint Francis Hospital morgue.
How do you submit specimens for chromosome analysis?
Fetal tissue/products of conception which has been formalin-fixed or frozen, or is necrotic or contaminated cannot be used for chromosome study. Chromosome studies can be performed on fresh tissue, tissue received in saline, or tissue received in RPMI. The tissue should not be placed in the refrigerator, and should be delivered to Saint Francis Genetics as soon as possible.