Species: Any

Specimen: Aspirated material

Container: Glass slides, slide container

Collection protocol: 21-22 gauge needle alone (“woodpecker” or non-aspiration technique) or with a 3-6cc syringe attached for aspiration.  A smaller gauge needle may lyse the cells and a large needle may result in too much blood contamination. Round cell tumours and epithelial tumours typically exfoliate readily whereas mesenchymal tumours (e.g., sarcoma) do not.  If the mass feels firm and deeply adhered to underlying tissue, then use a syringe for aspiration. Expel the aspirated contents onto the top 1/3 of a clean glass slide.  Then take another slide, gently place it on top.  Do not apply pressure, but use only the weight of the slide to spread out the material.  Gently pull the slides along each other lengthwise until they separate.  This will result in two slides with a nice monolayer of cells. 

Special handling/shipping requirements: Do not ship with formalin (or wrap and bag separately) as the formalin fumes prevent cellular uptake of differential stains rendering the slides non-diagnostic. 

General information about the disease: N/A

General information about when this test is indicated: N/A

Comparison with other related tests: N/A