Principles of gross pathology

This article discusses principles of grossing. It serves as an introduction to the topic and covers what is the minimum for a specimen.

Parameters

All specimens

• How it was received, e.g. 10% formalin, fresh.
• Label, e.g. "ECC".
• Dimension - at the very least one.
• Number of pieces - counted if less or equal to six, estimated if more.
• Appearance, e.g. fibrofatty tissue, tan tissue.

Other parameters

• Mass (weight).
• Inking.
• Tumour:
  • Size.
  • Distance to margins.
  • Border, e.g. infiltrative, well-circumscribed.
  • Colour.
  • Firmness.
  • Necrosis.
  • Hemorrhage.

Blocking principles

It makes sense to consistently submit blocks in a certain order. This avoids mix-ups that can lead to problems. The following conventions are arbitrary. The first pair can be remembered by... the first in the alphabet is first.

Blocking conventions

• Left before right.
• Anterior before posterior.
• Clockwise and starting at 12 o'clock.

Measurement principles

• It is preferable to make distance measurements to one reference point - this avoid calculations.
  • If the finding is a small tumour/mass (e.g. colonic polyp) it should be measured to the nearest margin if only one measure is given.

See also

• Gross pathology.
• Specimen opening - also known as freshing.