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

-Date of collection

-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.

Specimen Required

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred:

Specimen Type: Tissue block

Collection Instructions:

1. Submit a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissue block. Blocks prepared with alternative fixation methods will be attempted but are less favorable for successful results

2. Provide fixation method used.

Additional Information:

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

2. Bone specimens that have been decalcified will be attempted for testing, but the success rate is approximately 50%.

Acceptable:

Specimen Type: Tissue slides

Slides: 1 Hematoxylin and eosin-stained and 2 unstained

Collection Instructions: Submit 2 consecutive unstained, positively charged, unbaked slides with 5 micron-thick sections of the tumor tissue and 1 slide stained with hematoxylin and eosin.