Procedure for
Collection of specimens without DiaTech Oncology Kit:
Please
note that if contacting DiaTech Oncology 2-3 days before the surgery is not
possible, the following procedures can be put into place for collection and
preparation of the specimen. Once
specimen is properly collected, see:
Under
sterile conditions, using excision biopsy technique, obtain at least 1.0
cm3 of viable tumor tissue. The more viable tumor tissue is
submitted for the study, the more chemotherapy agents can be tested
against the tumor cells. Do not submit fat or necrotic tissue. If specimen
exceeds 2 cm3, please cut it with sterile scissors into smaller
pieces. Do not mince the specimen.
While in OR, under
sterile conditions, place specimen into a 50 ml transport tube containing RPMI
Media or sterile saline solution. Avoid prolonged contact with air to
prevent drying and contamination. DO NOT USE FIXATIVES AND DO NOT FREEZE
THE SPECIMEN.
Effusion Specimen:
Ascitic
fluid, pleural fluid, and effusions from other anatomical sites should be
collected in a commercial sterile container/bag with added Sodium
Heparin (10 U/ml) to prevent clotting (available from DiaTech upon
request). SPECIMEN WITHOUT ADDED HEPARIN WILL LIKELY CLOT BY THE TIME IT
ARRIVES TO THE DiaTech LAB AND, THUS MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR THE STUDY. Please send all fluid available. DO NOT USE FIXATIVES AND
DO NOT FREEZE THE SPECIMEN.
Blood (Leukemia and Lymphoma) Specimen:
Draw blood by venipuncture and place it under
sterile conditions into hematologic transport tubes with dried sodium heparin
(green top tubes) The volume of blood required for the study may vary depending
on the patient’s diagnosis, WBC count, and percentage of abnormal cells
present. For example, in acute myeloid leukemia with WBC count of 100 X 109/L
with 50% blasts, 2-3 mL of blood will suffice for the study. If WBC count and/or
percentage of blasts present is lower, more blood would require for the study.
Please call DiaTech laboratory for consult before drawing the specimen.
Seal the transport tube tightly, write the
patient name, date and time on the transport tube label, and place the tube in
the DiaTech transportation box or Styrofoam container with a cardboard
container outside containing cool pack. NEVER FREEZE THE SPECIMEN!
Bone Marrow (Leukemia and Lymphoma) Specimen:
Place
bone marrow aspirate under sterile conditions into hematologic transport
tubes with dried sodium heparin (green top tubes). The volume of bone
marrow required for the study may vary depending on the patient’s
diagnosis, degree of hemodilution, and percentage of abnormal cells
present. For example, in acute myeloid leukemia with 50% blasts, 2-3 mL of
bone marrow will suffice for the study. If percentage of blasts present is
low, more bone marrow would require for the study. Please call DiaTech
laboratory for consult before drawing the specimen.
