CHROMOSOME AND FISH STUDIES | LABCORP OKLAHOMA INC.

Specimen Collection

Collection of Chromosome and FISH Studies

Pre-authorization for Genetic and Molecular testing

Regional Medical Laboratory (RML) and Pathology Laboratory Associates (PLA) appreciate your business and value being a partner with you in managing the health of your patients. Consistent with the relationship, we would like to make you aware of some imminent changes that many insurances are implementing. Many insurance companies will start to require notification/prior authorization for all molecular and genetic lab testing for patients in some plans. This new requirement impacts a broad range of molecular and genetic tests, including many standard of care tests.
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Chromosome analysis (cytogenetics) is often very important for diagnosis and treatment of the patient for a variety of conditions. Proper analysis begins with quality specimen collection. The testing laboratory requires living cells to provide a good cell culture.

See individual assays in the Specialized Testing Section. (CYTOGENETICS AND FISH ASSAYS)

WHOLE BLOOD / BONE MARROW / FISH STUDIES
The specimen collection tube of choice for whole blood or bone marrow cytogenetics is Dark Green Sodium Heparin kept at Room Temperature. Since all heparin tubes are colored some shade of green, it is important that one must read the additive written on the tube to insure that you are using Sodium Heparin and NOT Lithium Heparin. Lithium Heparin will not keep the cells alive long enough to yield a proper cell culture; specimens collected in Lithium Heparin will be canceled. FISH (Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization) assays also utilize the same sample type as chromosome testing. In many instances FISH studies are ordered at the same time as cytogenetics to aid diagnosis.
Specimen Requirements:	Whole Blood 5mL (3mL minimum) in a Dark Green Sodium Heparin tube Keep specimen at Room Temperature Do not centrifuge
PRODUCTS OF CONCEPTION
Cytogenetics on tissue from products of conception require that they be kept at Room Temperature in tubes with RPMI and antibiotics. These vials can be obtained from the RML Histology department (918) 744-3131 x15581 or by calling RML Client Services (918) 744-3131 x14800.
Specimen Requirements:	At least 5x5 mm section of “viable” tissue, chorionic villi, placenta, skin or cord submitted in RPMI with antibiotics or sterile Ringer’s solution using a sterile container. Please send at Room Temperature (DO NOT Refrigerate or Freeze). Frozen samples will be rejected. Specifically label the container to be used for cytogenetic testing, indicating the patient's name, that it is for cytogenetic testing, and the date that it was acquired.
SOLID TUMOR / LYMPH NODE
Cytogenetics on tissue from solid tumors or lymph node biopsy should be kept Refrigerated in tubes with RPMI and antibiotics. These vials can be obtained from the RML Histology department (918) 744-3131 x15581 or by calling RML Client Services (918) 744-3131 x14800.
Specimen Requirements:	At least 5x5 mm section of “viable” tissue submitted in RPMI with antibiotics or sterile Ringer’s solution using a sterile container. Please ship Refrigerated (DO NOT FREEZE). Frozen samples will be rejected. Specifically label the container to be used for cytogenetic testing, indicating the patient's name, that it is for cytogenetic testing, and the date that it was acquired.