[Histonet] fixation times for breast cases

[Mike Pence]

Happy Friday to All:

I have started seeing things written that states that the time of
fixation in 10% neutral buffered formalin will be changing to 72 hrs for
breast cases and this will include not only HER2,but also ER/PR
guidelines and these should be releases in 2010. Just wondering if
anyone has any insight of when this may be coming.  Having techs come in
on the weekend is starting to get to be a problem and this 72 hour
change would make everything better!

 

Here is one of the articles I have seen.

 

http://cme.medscape.com/viewarticle/713825

 

Just wondering if anyone knows,

Mike

 

 

 

 

 

ANP.22998             Phase I
N/A   YES   NO

 

If the laboratory assesses HER2 protein over-expression by
immunohistochemistry (IHC) or HER2 gene amplification by fluorescence in
situ hybridization (FISH), does the laboratory have a documented
procedure for ensuring appropriate length of fixation of specimens
tested?  

 

NOTE:  Specimens subject to HER2 testing should be fixed in 10% neutral
buffered formalin for at least 6 hours and no longer than 48 hours.
While core biopsies must not be fixed for less than 1 hour, it is
recommended that such specimens have the same fixation as larger
specimens (i.e., 6 hours minimum).  It is recommended that time of
fixation be recorded and included in the report if available. While the
maximum fixation time of 48 hours is not an exclusion criterion for HER2
testing, laboratories should qualify any negative results for specimens
fixed longer than 48 hours.  For cases with negative results by IHC,
consideration should be given to performing confirmatory analysis by
FISH.

 

Laboratories testing specimens obtained from another institution should
have a policy that addresses time of fixation.  Information on time of
fixation may be obtained by appropriate questions on the laboratory's
requisition form.  The time of fixation should be recorded in the final
report.