[Histonet] Breast formalin time

[Terri Braud]

CAP and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) provide
guidelines for HER2 testing, and ER, PgR testing. The American College
of Surgeons also require following CAP requirements for breast reporting
for NAPBC (National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers)
accreditation.
As of Oct., 2013, those standards were:
The time between breast tissue removal and the initiation of fixation
should be documented to be less than or equal to one hour. 
Additionally, breast tissue resection specimens that are not immediately
examined, such as those acquired in a location
remote from the pathology laboratory, should be bisected through the
tumor upon removal to improve fixation. 
Fixation times have been defined as no less than 6 hours, and no greater
than 72 hours for all three markers. (previously, it was a max of 48
hours for Her2)  If you are not recording the end time, then how can you
report the Max fixation time?
I hope this helps - Terri

Terri L. Braud, HT(ASCP)
Anatomic Pathology Supervisor
Holy Redeemer Hospital Laboratory
1648 Huntingdon Pike
Meadowbrook, PA 19046
Ph: 215-938-3676
Fax: 215-938-3874


-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu Sent: Saturday, February
15, 2014 12:22 PM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: Histonet Digest, Vol 123, Issue 15

Message: 4
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 13:18:18 -0700
From: Glenn Hauck <Glenn.Hauck <@t> albertahealthservices.ca>
Subject: [Histonet] End time for fixation of breast tissue

Is there someone out there that can help me find out if there is any
value in recording the end time for fixation of breast tissue in 10%
formalin?
We at present record the devitalization time, the time tissue is put
into fixative and the time the tissue is cut into and exposed to 10%
formalin as well as the time the processor is started
Thanks

Glenn Hauck
Charge Tecnologist
Pathology
QueenElizabeth II Hospital
Grande Prairie, AB T8V 2E8
****
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