Ordering Guidance

This test does not include a pathology consultation. If a pathology consultation is requested, order PATHC / Pathology Consultation, and appropriate testing will be added at the discretion of the pathologist and performed at an additional charge.

This test is not appropriate for distinguishing tissue from the same sex, as in a same-sex transplant or potential tissue mix-up between 2 male patients or 2 female patients.

This evaluation can be more complicated in a post-transplant neoplastic evaluation and may not produce a confirmatory result.

Shipping Instructions

Advise Express Mail or equivalent if not on courier service.

Necessary Information

1. A pathology report is required for testing to be performed. If not provided, appropriate testing and/or interpretation may be compromised or delayed. Acceptable pathology reports include working drafts, preliminary pathology, or surgical pathology reports.

2. The following information must be included in the report provided:

-Patient name

-Block number - must be on all blocks, slides, and paperwork

-Collection date

-Tissue source

3. A reason for testing must be provided. If this information is not provided, an appropriate indication for testing may be entered by Mayo Clinic Laboratories.

4. If a transplant has been performed, provide organ (ie, bone marrow, heart, lung, kidney, etc) and sex of donor information when sending the specimen.

Specimen Required

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred:

Specimen Type: Tissue block (fresh tissue is not acceptable)

Collection Instructions:

1. Submit a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissue block.

2. Blocks prepared with alternative fixation methods (eg, Prefer, Bouin's) will be attempted but are less favorable for successful results. Provide fixation method used.

Additional Information:

1. Paraffin-embedded specimens can be from any anatomic location (skin, soft tissue, lymph node, etc).

2. Decalcified paraffin-embedded specimens will have testing attempted; however, the success rate is approximately 50%. Testing may be canceled if sufficient tumor tissue is not present.

3. Submitted fresh tissue specimens will be canceled upon receipt. If only fresh tissue is available, embed in paraffin prior to sending.

Acceptable:

Specimen Type: Tissue slides

Slides: 1 Hematoxylin and eosin-stained and 4 unstained

Collection Instructions: Submit 1 slide stained with hematoxylin and eosin and 4 consecutive unstained, positively charged, unbaked slides with 5-micron thick sections of the tumor tissue.

Additional Information: Broken or cracked unstained slides will be rejected. Stained slides that were broken and repaired (ie, double mounted) at the client site will not be rejected, as, in most cases, they can still be reviewed under the microscope. However, due to the double mounting, digital scanning cannot be performed.