H&E stained samples used in histopathological testing will be maintained by SRL for 10 years.
It will be returned if you request to have your H&E stained samples returned by checking the box provided in the request form.
Please note that you may be asked to provide the samples again if you wish to inquire about the test result,
etc. after the samples have been returned to you.
Please note that you may be asked to provide additional samples if it becomes necessary for SRL to have samples prepared by other
staining methods than HE staining and special staining mentioned above or enzyme antibody staining for the test.
If you request for block preparation and send in a harvested organ as is, make sure that you include an excision diagram and specify the
embedding directions in the request form.
If you request for staining using paraffi n block alone, you will be charged for unstained specimen preparation as well.
If you request for the preparation of stained samples on unstained sample slides, please send in 2 slides per staining.
Histopathological test can not be performed on frozen tissues.
Submitting testing materials
For pathology testing, please provide 20% formalin-fixed tissues,
paraffin blocks, unstained sample slides, or stained samples.
Note) In the case of samples from a patient who has undergone radiation therapy or examination
which may potentially be radiation-contaminated, please contact our Data Information in advance.
20% formalin-fixed tissues
To prevent a removed sample from being autolyzed or dried, fix it immediately in a container (VP0) filled with 20% formalin solution.
As a fixative, use 20% formalin solution in an adequate amount, about 10 times that of the tissue.
To send in a very small piece of tissue for gastric biopsy, etc., apply it on a piece of filter paper, etc.
before placing it in 20% formalin solution.
(If you use more than one piece of samples, please note the ID, etc. on the filter paper,
or use separate containers filled with 20% formalin solution for individual sites [or IDs].)
Please use one container per organ (a type of organ).
Use separate containers for pieces of an organ that vary significantly in size.
Note1) Please provide the date and time in the request form (“Date of collection” and “Time of collection” columns)
when the tissue is placed in 20% formalin solution
Note2) Please follow the instructions in the table below when sending in the tissues listed below.
TISSUES
POINTS TO NOTE
Digestive tract /
gall bladder
Pin the specimen to a thin plate with the mucosal surface up, and place it in 20% formalin solution.
After sufficient fixation (for about 1 day), send it in according to the above method.
Lung
From the bronchial stump of a resected tissue sample,
inject 20% formalin solution to remove air and to inflate the alveoli to the extent possible,
and place the specimen into 20% formalin solution. After sufficient fixation (for about 1 day),
send it in according to the above method.
Uterus / breast / kidney
Fixation of large organs such as uterus tends to be insufficient: therefore,
bisect the specimen before fixation.
Gastric or intestinal punch biopsy
(When attaching a specimen to a filter paper)
Remove water from a biopsy specimen, and place it on a piece of filter paper for about 10 seconds.
Then, place the specimen with the filter paper into 20% formalin solution.
(Please exercise extra caution to prevent tissues from drying out.)
Note 3) For a tissue that is too large for the pathology container (VP0), place it in HistoPack in the following manner:
Remove any pin, etc. from the adequately fixed tissue. Transfer it into HistoPack and add a small amount of formalin fixative.
Remove as much air as possible from within the HistoPack and zip close the bag.
Label the HistoPack with the name of the patient, etc.
Paraffin block
Wrap a paraffin block that has been prepared in a piece of gauze, etc.
so that it will not be damaged before putting it in a plastic bag, etc. to send it in.
Unstained sample slide
If you request for staining using unstained sample slides, write down the ID, etc.
on the glass slide and make sure that the sections will not be damaged before sending them in.
Please note that, in some cases of preparation of stained samples or enzymatic immunostaining,
sections may come off during staining; you may be asked to provide unstained sample slides again.
Extremely small tissues
If it is not clear whether or not a sample contains the testing materials in the case of extremely small tissues, etc.,
the sample may be returned to you for your review.
Filling in the request form and labels
Please use the “Histopathology Request Form” provided when requesting for histopathological testing.
Please make sure that the following information is provided in the request form and labels:
Request form
Subject's name, sex, age, and date of birth
Date of excision (collection), name of organ excised, number of excisions
Clinical diagnosis, clinical course, treatment, clinical examinations, etc.
Previous sample registration No.
For gynecological diseases or mammary gland diseases: menstruation, pregnancy, and other relevant considerations.
For a large tissue such as stomach or lung, please provide instructions on the site of excision.
Container labels and frozen tissue labels
Name of institution, subject’s name, sex, and age
Please make sure that container No. (1, 2, 3, ...) is provided for it to be
correctly matched to the container No. provided in the request form.
Please provide the name of organ and the number of excisions as well.
(Please note that test results may not be provided if any container No. or name of the organ is not clear.)
Reporting test results
Report of the results of enzymatic immunostaining and other staining tests
Test results will be reported by returning the stained samples requested for.
