Dr. Dimitris Hatzibougias
The formalin (10% formaldehyde diluted, used for the fixation of the preparations) penetrating the volume at 1 mm / h and fixation average rate of 3.2 mm / 24. This means that for a ‘biopsy’ (or a surgical preparation) with a size of a golf ball, requires the inclusion of formalin 10%, ideally within one hour of surgical removal (ideal fixative / biopsy relation 20: 1).
After receiving the histopathology laboratory, cuts shall be made at the volume cm – from the trained pathologist or tissue engineering – that the fixation be properly and thoroughly.
A biopsy is SO suitable for examination, AS is correct and its handling, BEFORE the examination.
Particularly in biopsies on breast tumors, the preanalytical process and sample processing is paramount and crucial, because the further processing and interpretation under the microscope by a pathologist will determine the Diagnosis, which will base the decision TREATMENT. Any deterioration / degeneration of the biopsy due to inadequate fixation, will affect the whole future course, and thus prognosis.