Donna Willis, Histology Lab Manager, Harris Methodist, Fort Worth, Texas 
notes:

>>When using the FDA approved DAKO Herceptest [for HER2/neu,] or the FDA 
Ventana Pathway method, you have to use formalin as the fixative. - In our 
lab we make sure the specimen is fixed properly by using microwave technology 
before the samples are placed on the tissue processor.<<

I'm not sure it makes any difference, but microwaving is a form of fixation, 
and could be considered an irregular fixation method for the FDA approved 
test. I'd at least want to run some samples in parallel to find out if it 
alters the results. Remember always that the USA has 5% of the world's 
population and 75% of its lawyers...

Bob Richmond
Samurai Pathologist
Knoxville TN