• Measure the specimen (three dimensions), giving a separate measurement for overlying skin if included.  Orient it if sutures/clips/ink present.
• Examine the skin surface for scar, ulcer, or other lesions.  Examine the external surface of the soft tissue for encapsulation or involvement by tumor.

• Ink the resection margins, using different colors if oriented.  Follow the guidelines in Skin Excisional Biopsy if applicable.

• Serially section the specimen at 0.5-1.0 cm intervals, depending on the size of the specimen (i.e. smaller if small specimen).
• Describe the cut surface (color, solid vs. cystic, fatty, fleshy, bulging, soft, necrotic, hemorrhagic, circumscription).
• Submit tissue for special studies if indicated. For cytogenetics, unfixed tissue should be used. Cytogenetics help render definitive diagnosis of certain sarcomas (e.g., Ewing’s sarcoma, synovial sarcoma, etc.).

• Tumor:  one section per centimeter.  Include surrounding uninvolved tissue, resection margins, and skin in several sections.
• Entirely submit if the specimen can be submitted in five or fewer cassettes.
• If tumor resembles lipoma, may submit one block for each 4-cm.

Internal use only

Received without fixative/in formalin, labeled _____ and “_____”, is a __ x __ x __ cm mass of tan-pink soft tissue with a solid, soft tissue tumor mass that comprises most of the specimen. The tumor has a rubbery, firm, variegated, tan and white cut surface with a distinct whirling pattern without necrosis. The closest margin is 0.5cm at the posterior aspect of the tumor.  Thin slips of skeletal muscle are lossely attached along one side, designated by a single black suture as “deep margin”. This is uninvolved by tumore. Representative sections, including 40% of the specimen are submitted in cassette #__ - #__.

#__ - #__ = tumor with posterior margin; 1 piece in each.

#__ = anterior margin, shaved; __ pieces.

#__ = deep margin; __ pieces.

#__ = medial margin; __ pieces.

#__ =  lateral margin; __ pieces.

#__ =  proximal margin; __ pieces.

#__ = distal margin; __ pieces.

#__ - #__ tumor from distal to proximal; 1 piece in each.

__ blocks, __ H&E