Test Code LABCCFFPEFISH CYTOGENETICS FISH, FFPE

Specimen and Container/Tube

Specimen fixed in buffered formalin are embedded in paraffin blocks

Specimen Stability

Stable at room temperature up to 1 month.

Collection Instructions

UCMC Onsite Instructions
Specimens subject to HER2 (ERBB2) FISH testing should be placed in fixative within one hour of biopsy or resection (cold ischemia time) and remain in 10% neutral buffered formalin for at least six hours and up to 72 hours (formalin fixation time) at room temperature. Collection and fixation conditions outside of this recommendation should be communicated to the laboratory.

UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions
Specimens collected from outside facilities should include cold ischemia time and fixation conditions (including type of fixative and time in fixation) on a requisition form or communicated to the laboratory.

Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions

UCMC Onsite Instructions
Transport FFPE slides at room temperature, do not freeze or refrigerate. Tumor region(s) must be marked on the unstained slides or slides must be accompanied by a marked H&E.

For UC MedLab Outreach Institutions please contact Pathology Client Services (773-702-8287) for transport instructions.

Rejection Criteria

Specimen fixed in fixative other than buffered formalin

FISH of decalcified specimens will be attempted on investigational bases only. The laboratory has not validated this sample type. Some decalcification methods (eg acid based) are incompatible with hybridization based testing whereas others (eg EDTA) are more successful.

Reference Values

Laboratory established reference values or published guidelines for interpretation (eg ASCO/CAP) will be included on the report.

Results reported with current recommendations of the International Standing Committee on Human Cytogenomic Nomenclature (ISCN).

Clinical Indications

Lymphoma, Breast Cancer, Gastric Cancer, Glioma, NSCLC, miscellaneous tumors

Test Components

Slide processing
FISH analysis
interpretive report

CPT Codes

88271
88275

Methodology

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)

Additional Information

Limitations: Will not detect abnormalities of genes, loci, or chromosomes not specifically targeted.

Probes Offered:
MYC
BCL2
BCL6
HER2/CEP 17
ALK

Last Review Date

4/17/2025

Specimen & Container/Tube

Specimen must be fixed in buffered formalin

Volume

2~3 slides (per probe) of 4~5 µm thick tissues sections mounted on positively-charged microscope slides, as per test specific protocol in Histology

Specimen Handling & Transport Instructions

Transport FFPE slides at room temperature, do not freeze or refrigerate
Tumor region(s) must be marked on the unstained slides or slides must be accompanied by a marked H&E

For UC MedLab Outreach Institutions please contact Pathology Client Services (773-702-8287) for transport instructions

Synonyms/ Search Keyword

FISH

Ordering Notes

Orders are placed through Pathology case workup

Turnaround Time

up to 10 days

Please note: Turnaround times can vary based on lab staffing. For urgent needs and requests to expedite testing, please email #UCM-Cytogenetics-Lab, or CytogeneticsLab@uchicagomedicine.org

Synonyms/Search Keyword