April 2025
Q. Is it important to perform a manual differential on a CBC with a very low or very high mean corpuscular volume (MCV) result, or will a smear review/scan for RBC morphology suffice? Read answer.
Q. Do exact formalin fixation times and cold ischemia times have to be listed in the final pathology report for immunohistochemistry predictive marker testing so long as they are traceable on internal records (e.g. processor times, container label times)? Or is it sufficient to state that the formalin fixation and cold ischemia times meet ASCO/CAP recommendations of less than or equal to one hour cold ischemia time and greater than six hours but less than 72 hours formalin fixation time?
The only variable not in our final reports is our end of formalin time, but it is traceable through internal laboratory records. We document in the final report the time the tissue was removed from the body and the time it was placed in formalin. Then a blanket statement of “less than or equal to one hour cold ischemia time and greater than six but less than 72 hours formalin fixation time” is inserted in the comment when it applies. Read answer.