Triage
- Weigh and measure specimen, including measurements of normal adrenal gland and tumor.
- Orient the specimen. Ink the entire outer surface/capsule.
- Serially section to include interface between normal adrenal gland and tumor.
- Photograph cut surface.
- NOTIFY A PA if specimen arrives between 8 am and 7 pm, and they can assist in specimen triage. ALWAYS take the following FRESH tissue if a PA is not available:
- Snap freeze 2 viable pieces. Ideal size is 1 gram each. Wrap tissue in foil. Label a megacassette, and place foil-wrapped tissue inside. Submerge in LN2 for 5 minutes. Then, remove using forceps and place in diagnostic box in the -80 freezer. Log specimens into frozen tissue log book on top of freezer. Notify a PA that there is a specimen in the freezer.
- Place a portion in RPMI, if feasible (less critical than snap-freeze if tumor is small; RPMI may not be stored routinely in gross room; please ask tech/PA). Store in refrigerator.
- Specimen can be fixed overnight following tissue collection.
Gross
- Measure size of tumor and it’s involvement of adjacent structures.
- Sample extensively, including tumor with adjacent adrenal, peripheral and central sections, any hemorrhage/necrosis, any lymph nodes.
- Don’t forget to state the above tissue collections (snap freeze, RPMI) in the gross description.