Mark,
 
although I recall seeing this published in the Journal of
Histotechnology, I also don't agree with teh idea of squeezing the fat
out of fatty breast tissue.  Other labs have also just soaked them in
molten paraffin overnight, sometimes resulting in burned looking tissue.
If they are not adequately fixed and processed well in the first place,
any of this type of trauma can't be good for the specimen.  I do like
the idea of adding a xylene step in the processing schedule between the
alcohols, never thought of that.  Brilliant!
 
I do suggest that some labs that have particular difficulty with their
pathologists routinely not grossing in these specimens well, use this as
a Quality Improvement marker.  I would talk with the Lab Director and
Head Pathologist about doing this first because you will need their
support, but that might help supply the pressure (from somewhere besides
the techs) to improve their technique.
 
Bottom line is, we do what is best for the patient.
 

Teri Johnson
Managing Director Histology Facility
Stowers Institute for Medical Research
1000 E. 50th St.
Kansas City, Missouri  64110
tjj@stowers-institute.org


 
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