Flow Cytometry Specimens


  • PLEASE NOTE: Flow cytometric studies require live (intact) cells, therefore specimens should be submitted fresh, or in an appropriate preservative agent. Please call us at 970-461-6091 during business hours or page the Pathologist On Call after hours if you have any questions about how to handle one of these specimens.
  • Here are some general guidelines for these specimens:
    • The most common types of specimens submitted for flow include bone marrow aspirate, peripheral blood, lymph node biopsy material, and body fluids (pleural fluid, cerebrospinal fluid).
    • If lymphoma/hematopoietic malignancy is a clinical possibility, the specimen should be submitted fresh (without formalin). Preservatives (such as RPMI) are available if the specimen will not be run immediately.
    • Bone marrow aspirate material and peripheral blood may be placed in green or purple top tubes. Please submit at room temperature; do not refrigerate. Please notify the lab and/or pathologist if additional studies are requested (e.g. cytogenetics, specific markers to assess for myeloproliferative disease, FISH).
    • Solid tissue (lymph nodes) and body fluids may be submitted in sterile containers.
  • Label the body of the container with the patient's identifying information (at least first and last name) and the site of the biopsy (be as specific as possible; e.g., "lymph node, left axilla").
  • Place the specimen into the container as soon as possible after the time of collection and close the lid tightly.
  • Complete the Summit Pathology Surgical Pathology requisition, including the following information:
    • Patient's full name
    • Date of birth
    • Complete address
    • Medical record number (for hospital patients)
    • SSN
    • Submitting physician
    • Other physicians who should receive a copy of the report
    • Date of specimen collection
    • Appropriate clinical history, including CBC/SPEP results, peripheral smear review(s), assessment for lymphadenopathy/splenomegaly, ‘B’ symptoms, prior cytogenetic studies, travel history, etc
    • ICD-9 code
    • Site of specimen (Be specific! If you want the report to state that the specimen was an lymph node core biopsy rather than excision, for example, please let us know up front)
    • Any special studies requested (cytogenetics, gene rearrangement studies, FISH)
    • Insurance information (may be copied front and back and attached to requisition)
  • If you are in an office or surgery center, place the container in the main part of a plastic biohazard bag, and the requisition in the outside dry pouch, and notify us that the specimen is ready for pickup, as this type of specimen requires urgent handling.
  • If you are in a hospital, notify the on-duty pathologist in the laboratory that the specimen is ready for pickup