An indication must be provided with each specimen. The laboratory will not delay or reject testing if this information is not provided, but appropriate testing and interpretation may be compromised. Peripheral Blood: Container/Tube: Green-top (sodium heparin) tube(s) Specimen: 5-10 mL of sodium heparin whole blood. Collection Instructions: Invert several times to mix blood. Other anticoagulants are not recommended and are harmful to the viability of the cells. Label vial with patient’s name and date of birth. Forward promptly. Specimen cannot be frozen.
Bone Marrow: Container/Tube: Green-top (sodium heparin) tube(s) or Sterile heparinized syringe Specimen: 5 ml preferred. Minimum 2 ml with sufficient spicules Collection Instructions: Invert several times to mix. Other anticoagulants are not recommended and are harmful to the viability of the cells. Label vial with patient’s name and date of birth. Forward promptly. Specimen cannot be frozen.
Lymph Node: Container/Tube: Sterile specimen container with sterile saline or RPMI 1640 Specimen: At least 0.5cm3 piece separated aseptically Tumor tissue: Container/Tube: Sterile specimen container with sterile saline or RPMI 1640 Specimen: At least 0.5cm3 piece separated aseptically BM/PB smear for FISH analysis: Prepare six smears on a clean positively charged glass slide. 1 smear per probe required. Immediately air dry or send it fresh to the laboratory ASAP. Send to the laboratory ASAP at room temperature. Tissue block/Slides: 4 unstained slides of FFPE tissue section specimen 4-5 micron thick with two unique identifiers, block ID and cut number clearly labeled on the positively charged slides are required. An additional Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) slide must be submitted along with the sample clearly marked by a pathologist to denote the area of interest for the FISH study. Send to the laboratory ASAP at room temperature.
TAT:7-14 days
Transport Instructions
Transport Temperature: Send to the laboratory ASAP at room temperature 20-25°C. If there is a delay in transportation, store the sample in a refrigerator at 4°C / DO NOT FREEZE
Specimen Stability
48 hours room temperature If specimen cannot be sent promptly, refrigerate and send ASAP DO NOT FREEZE
Methodology
Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH)
Days Performed
Monday through Saturday
Performing Laboratory
Northwell Health Laboratories
CPT
88271 - DNA probe, each 88275 - interphase in situ hybridization 88291 - interpretation and report