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.

Mayo Clinic Hematopathology consultants are involved in the pre-analytic phase (tissue adequacy and probe selection, when applicable).

This test is not appropriate for testing blood and bone marrow from patients with B-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma. If a non-paraffin embedded bone marrow or blood sample is received for this test, the test will be canceled and automatically reordered by the laboratory as BALAF / B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma (ALL), FISH, Adult, Varies or BALFP / Pediatric B-Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma Panel, FISH, Varies depending on the age of the patient.

Shipping Instructions

Advise Express Mail or equivalent if not on courier service.

Necessary Information

1. A list of probes requested for analysis is required. Probes available for this test are listed in the Testing Algorithm section.

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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 (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 2 unstained for each probe set

Collection Instructions:

1. If individual probe sets are chosen: Submit 1 slide stained with hematoxylin and eosin and, for each probe set ordered, submit 2 consecutive unstained, positively charged, unbaked slides with 5 micron-thick sections of the tumor tissue.

2. If a complete B-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (BLBL) panel is ordered: Submit 1 slide stained with hematoxylin and eosin and 20 consecutive unstained, positively charged, unbaked slides with 5 micron-thick sections of the tumor tissue.