Specimen Requirements: Indicate peripheral blood WBC and % blasts on request form. Specimen should be obtained from the second aspirate. Draw 1-2 cc into a syringe "wetted" with sodium heparin (500 U heparin/cc). Invert syringe to mix with heparin. Immediately add specimen to a tube containing 5-10 ml sterile culture medium (e.g. RPMI 1640 or MEM) (tubes available on request). Mix well by inverting. Cap tightly and cover with Parafilm. Keep specimen cool (do not freeze). Deliver to laboratory as soon as possible.

Turn Around Time: 4-7 days. CLL: 8-14 days

Leukemic Blood (for CML, CLL, and APL only):

Specimen Requirements: Please indicate WBC and percent blasts on request form. Peripheral blood for cancer chromosome analysis should have 10% or more blasts. 5-10 cc peripheral blood in a green top tube (sodium heparin). Mix well by inverting. Keep specimen cool (do not freeze).

Turn Around Time: 4-7 days. CLL: 8-14 days

Specimen Requirements: The amount of tissue required for analysis is dependent on the tumor type: (For additional information, please call 1-800-624-1865) Excised tumor tissue should be immediately immersed in medium (RPMI) in a sterile dish or container. The tissue should be kept cool (do not freeze). The tissue should reach the laboratory within 4 hrs., otherwise the viability of the cells may be compromised resulting in culture failure.

Turn Around Time: 7-14 days