Histopathology Tests

Organs: Heart, Liver, etc or lesser

Tissue specimens should be placed immediately into a wide-mouthed, leak-proof specimen container.
Immerse the tissue completely in 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin (NBF) as the preservative.
The recommended volume of formalin should be at least 10 times the volume of the tissue specimen.
Clearly label the container with the patient's full name, age, gender, hospital/laboratory number (if applicable), specimen type, collection date, and anatomical site.
Ensure the container lid is tightly sealed to prevent leakage during transport.
Place the specimen container inside a sealed biohazard specimen bag with absorbent material.
Include a completed histopathology request form containing the patient's clinical history, provisional diagnosis, specimen site, and requesting clinician's details.
Transport the specimen to the laboratory as soon as possible. Formalin-fixed specimens can generally be transported at room temperature.

3 Days

Mon 3 - Fri 2

Do not place tissue specimens in saline, water, or dry containers unless specifically instructed by the laboratory for special studies (e.g., frozen section or immunofluorescence).
Avoid cutting or dissecting the specimen unless directed by the requesting pathologist or surgeon.
For large surgical specimens, ensure adequate formalin penetration by opening hollow organs where appropriate or following the surgeon's preservation protocol.
If special tests such as immunohistochemistry (IHC), molecular pathology, microbiology, or frozen section analysis are required, notify the laboratory before specimen collection, as different handling procedures may apply.
Provide complete clinical information, imaging findings, previous biopsy results, and relevant medical history to assist the pathologist in making an accurate diagnosis.
Turnaround time varies depending on specimen complexity but is typically 3–7 working days for routine histopathology. Additional specialized testing may require extra time.
Patients should discuss their results with their healthcare provider, who will interpret the findings in the context of their symptoms, examination, and other investigations.