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.

For testing non-paraffin bone marrow or blood specimens from patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, order either BALPF / B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma (ALL), Pediatric, FISH, Varies or BALAF / B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma (ALL), FISH, Adult, Varies, depending on the patient's age. If a non-paraffin embedded bone marrow or blood specimen is received for this test, this test will be canceled, and either BALPF or BALAF, depending on patient's age, will be added and performed as the appropriate test.

For patients with B-cell lymphoma, order BLYM / B-Cell Lymphoma, FISH, Tissue.

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.?? 

1. Patient name? 

2. Block number - must be on all blocks, slides, and paperwork?? 

3. Date of collection? 

4. 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: Submit a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissue block. Blocks prepared with alternative fixation methods may be acceptable; 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 20 unstained

Collection Instructions: 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.