Specimen Requirements

Appropriate specimen collection, fixation, labelling, handling, and transport are essential to ensure optimal histopathology assessment and diagnostic accuracy.

Factors affecting specimen quality may significantly impact tissue preservation, morphology, ancillary testing, turnaround times, and the ability to provide a definitive diagnosis.

Most specimens for histology must be placed in an appropriately sized container with an adequate amount of 10% neutral buffered formalin as soon as possible after removal from the patient.

Approximately 10x the specimen volume of formalin is recommended.

Formalin-fixed specimens should be stored at room temperature prior to transport.

Fresh or unfixed specimens should be refrigerated where appropriate.

Factors that may adversely affect specimen quality include:

* Delayed fixation

* Inadequate fixation

* Incorrect transport

* Incorrect labelling

* Tissue damage

* Inadequate clinical information

* Poor preservation

Where specimen quality may affect interpretation, this may be documented within the pathology report