Ordering Guidance

This test does not include a pathology consultation. If a pathology consultation is requested, order PATHC / Pathology Consultation, and appropriate testing will be added at the discretion of the pathologist and performed at an additional charge.

Mayo Clinic Hematopathology consultants are involved in the pre-analytic phase (tissue adequacy and probe selection, when applicable).

This test is not appropriate for testing blood and bone marrow from patients with B-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma. If a non-paraffin embedded bone marrow or blood sample is received for this test, the test will be canceled and automatically reordered by the laboratory as BALAF / B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma (ALL), FISH, Adult, Varies or BALFP / Pediatric B-Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma Panel, FISH, Varies depending on the age of the patient.

Shipping Instructions

Advise Express Mail or equivalent if not on courier service.

Necessary Information

1. A pathology report is required for testing to be performed. If not provided, appropriate testing and/or interpretation may be compromised or delayed. Acceptable pathology reports include working drafts, preliminary pathology, or surgical pathology reports.

2. The following information must be included in the report provided:

-Patient name

-Block number - must be on all blocks, slides, and paperwork

-Date of collection

-Tissue source

3. A reason for testing must be provided. If this information is not provided, an appropriate indication for testing may be entered by Mayo Clinic Laboratories.

4. A list of probes is required if select probes are necessary or if the patient is being tracked for known abnormalities. See Table in Clinical Information.

Specimen Required

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred

Specimen Type: Tissue block

Collection Instructions:

1. Submit a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissue block. Blocks prepared with alternative fixation methods will be attempted but are less favorable for successful results.

2. Provide fixation method used.

Additional Information:

1. Paraffin embedded specimens can be from any anatomic location (skin, soft tissue, lymph node, etc).

2. Bone specimens that have been decalcified will be attempted for testing, but the success rate is approximately 50%.

Acceptable

Specimen Type: Tissue slides

Slides: 1 Hematoxylin and eosin stained and 2 unstained for each probe set

Collection Instructions:

1. Include 1 hematoxylin and eosin-stained slide for the entire test order.

2. If individual probe sets are chosen: For each probe set ordered, submit 2 consecutive, unstained, 5 micron-thick sections placed on positively charged slides.

3. If a complete B-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (BLBL) panel is ordered: Submit 20 consecutive, unstained, 5 micron-thick sections placed on positively charged slides.