Specimen Requirements

Preparation of Patient:

None

Container Type:

Sterile plastic container for fresh specimens

Buffered 10% Formalin for all other specimens

Specimen Type:

Tissue

Specimen Handling/Transport:

Fresh Specimens:

1. Immediately after collecting place in sterile plastic transport container suitable for size with lid secured
2. Label with two positive patient identifiers and tissue description that matches order requisition.  If multiple specimens are collected, include collection sequence # that matches order requisition.
3. Immediately transport fresh specimens to the laboratory for processing.  For MMC, deliver directly to the Histology Lab on D3.
4. Non-MMC laboratories submit via courier to MMC.  Maintain fresh specimen on wet ice and/or refrigerated 2 - 8°C. 

Breast Cold Ischemic Time:

It is a regulatory requirement that cold ischemic time is documented for all breast specimens.  Cold ischemic time is recorded as the time the specimen is removed from the body to the time the specimen is placed in preservative (formalin).  Cold ischemic time should be < 60 minutes.  Delays getting tissue into formalin have adverse effects on the accuracy of predictive markers which impact diagnosis.  

Lymphoma Protocol: 

Indicate as a comment on the order "lymphoma protocol" and transport to laboratory immediately.  Specimen will be evaluated by a pathologist and reflexed to flow cytometry when clinically indicated.  Specimens are stable in Hanks solution for 96 hours.

Preserved Specimens:

1. Immediately after collecting place in buffer 10% formalin container suitable for size with lid secured.
2. Label with two positive patient identifiers and tissue description that matches order requisition.  If multiple specimens are collected, include collection sequence # that matches order requisition.
3. Transport to laboratory for processing ambient room temperature.

Specimen Stability/Storage:

Fresh 2 - 8°C refrigerated

Buffered 10% formalin ambient room temperature