Dear Tami,

We have found that pre-fixing fatty tissue, such as breast, in some kind
of alcohol-formalin mixture has helped immensely.  We have also
implemented an alcohol-formalin station on our tissue processor ( after
10% NBF and before the first alcohol).  We are mixing our own, using a
10% solution of 37-40% formaldehyde in 80% ethanol.

Hope this helps!

Diana Goodwin, HT
Trenton,  NJ

> ----------
> From: 	Tami Lee[SMTP:Tami.Lee@css.unc.edu]
> Sent: 	Monday, March 08, 1999 8:50 AM
> To: 	HistoNet@pathology.swmed.edu
> Subject: 	troublesome tissues
> 
> Hi everyone,
> 	I am trying to fix, process, and section breast and uterine
> tissue.  
> Although the uterus was fixed
> in 10% NBF for several days, it still appeared to have areas that were
> poorly 
> fixed.  The processing
> schedules that I have been using are 12 hours long, and do not seem to
> be 
> effective, especially
> on the breast tissue.  Does anyone have any advice they wouldn't mind
> sharing? 
> I have not been able
> to find anything in our laboratory's textbooks.
> Thanks in advance,
> Tami Lee
>