Specimen Requirements

Specimen: Bone core, bone marrow aspirate, lymph node, peripheral blood, tissue biopsy

Container Tube: Collect bone marrow or blood in a sodium heparin (green-top) Vacutainer. 

Hematologic specimens: Collect 1-2 mL bone marrow; 5-10 mL blood; 0.5-1 cm2 biopsy (bone core; lymph node). For bone marrow it is important that a first draw, spicule-rich sample be collected. Tissue: Collect 3-4 mm2 biopsy (about the size of a pencil eraser) in a sterile, screw-top container filled with transport media (provided by cytogenetics lab). Ensure the container is tightly sealed to prevent leakage.