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TEST CODE

CPT CODE

Fee for service will vary, depending on the number of specimens submitted and complexity of the specimen and diagnosis:

88300, Level I
88302, Level II
88304, Level III

88305, Level IV
88307, Level V
88309, Level VI

Additional testing may be ordered at the discretion of the pathologist as follows: 88311, decalcification; 88312 or 88313, special stains and/or 88341, 88342, 88344 IHC (immunohistochemistry stains); 88331, Frozen Section (Lubbock Only). These services will be performed at an additional charge.

TRANSPORT TEMPERATURE AND STABILITY

Routine tissues:

Room temperature indefinitely

Frozen Section specimen:

Call Avero Lubbock at 806-687-7284 for immediate pick-up

REJECTION CRITERIA

Specimens collected using alternative methods may not be rejected but may include a disclaimer on the final report.

TRANSPORT CONTAINER / SPECIMEN

Routine Histopathology Specimens:

10% Neutral buffered formalin-fixed tissue

Frozen Section Specimen:

Send fresh tissue immediately in a container without fixative

TURNAROUND TIME

Routine tissues:

24 – 48 hours from receipt at the lab

Frozen Section specimen:

Depending on tissue type and arrival in lab, a TAT of 20 minutes can be expected

COLLECTION

1. Collect biopsy(ies) with care. Avoid crushing the specimen with forceps or other instruments.
2. a. Routine tissues- place tissue in 10% neutral buffered formalin within one hour of excision.
   b. Frozen Section specimen- place tissue in a container without fixative.
3. Notate on requisition the time of tissue collection and cold ischemic time.
4. Label specimen container with two patient identifiers.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR BREAST CANCER PREDICTIVE MARKER TESTING:

1. Rapid immersion of specimens in fixative is critical and must occur within one hour of the biopsy or resection.
2. If delivery of a resection specimen to the pathology department is delayed (eg, specimens from remote sites), the tumor must be bisected prior to immersion in fixative. In such cases, it is important that the surgeon ensure that the identity of the resection margins is retained in the bisected specimen; alternatively, the margins may be separately submitted. Both the time of removal of the tissue and the time of immersion of the tissue in fixative must be recorded and communicated from the submitting service to the processing laboratory.

TEST SETUP

Monday – Friday (days)

METHODOLOGY

Macroscopic and microscopic evaluation performed