Histopathology
- Description
- The Histopathology Department provides a comprehensive tissue diagnostic service including immunocytochemistry and referral for molecular diagnostics. The department also provides a histology service for the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme.
- Related condition
- Testing site
- Synnovis : Tissue Sciences : King's College Hospital
- Laboratory
- Histology/ Histopathology
- Sample type and volume required
- Tissue specimens
- Special sample instructions
Unfixed specimens should not be sent to the histopathology laboratory without prior consultation with one of the Consultant Histopathologists.
- Storage and transport
- Specimens should routinely be fixed in formalin (10% neutral buffered formalin solution). Labelled specimen containers of various sizes containing formalin are provided by the laboratory to all users upon request. All tissue samples should be placed in fixative as soon as possible after removal from the patient. It is important not to let the specimen dry out (this can be a particular problem with small biopsies). The recommended volume of fixative is at least ten times the volume of the specimen, so it is important not to place a specimen into too small a container. If in doubt, choose a larger container. Poor fixation can hinder or prevent accurate histological diagnosis. The temptation to slice open or dissect an excised specimen before it is sent to the histopathology department should be resisted. Subsequent fixation of a partly incised specimen may cause distortion and hinder anatomical orientation. In the case of excised tumours, it may then be impossible to identify surgical planes of excision. Containers of formalin should be securely closed and transport should be in line with the Trust Policy on the transport of specimens in formalin. Formaldehyde vapour is a well-recognised respiratory irritant. Skin contact with formalin solution should be avoided, as repeated exposure may cause dermatitis in some individuals. Formalin spillage kits should be available to each department that stores formalin. Specimens from GPs: Specimens should be placed in a formalin filled specimen pot and the lid should be properly secured. The specimen should then be placed in a leak proof bag for transport to the Histology Department via the Pathology courier.
- Turnaround time
- Urgent samples are prioritised. Routine results are normally available within 3-7 working days and every effort is made to make the results available sooner. Complex specimens requiring further investigation may take longer. Specimens containing bone will take longer than one week.
- Contacts
Histopathology Laboratory at Blackfriars Hub
Phone: 020 4614 7519/ 7522
Friars Bridge Court,
41-43 Blackfriars Road,
London, SE1 8NZHistology Laboratory at Princess Royal University Hospital
Phone: 01689 864314
Princess Royal University Hospital
Farnborough Common
Orpington
Kent
BR6 8NDCellular Pathology/Histopathology at King’s College Hospital
Phone: 020 3299 3045
kch-tr.histopathologyoffice@nhs.net
King’s College Hospital
Bessemer Wing – 2nd Floor
Denmark Hill
London SE5 9RSCellular Pathology at St Thomas’ Hospital
Phone – Histology: 0207 188 7188 extension 54611
Phone – Cytology: 0207 188 2915
Phone – Oral Pathology: 0207 188 4367
Histopathology & Cytopathology Laboratories
Cellular Pathology
St Thomas’ Hospital
North Wing – 2nd Floor
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EHCellular Pathology at Guy’s Hospital
Head and Neck/Oral Pathology Laboratory
4th Floor, Tower Wing
Guy’s Hospital
Great Maze Pond
London SE1 9RT