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Head and Neck Pathology Grossing GuidelinesDo not cut any HN specimens unless you are fully oriented anatomicallyLIP AND ORAL CAVITYOrient by anatomic structures (oral tongue, junction of buccal/gingival mucosa, alveolar ridge, angle of jaw, hard palate, etc)For mandibulectomies/maxillectomies, please ask for help if unsureInk resection marginsDescribe all abnormalities: size (staging cutoffs: 2 cm, 4 cm), location, extent, depth (staging cutoffs: 0.5 cm, 1 cm), distance to marginsSample all margins (if grossly close, e.g. 1 cm, submit perpendicular section; otherwise submit a shave of the margin closest to tumor)Sample tumor:Show relationship to peripheral/deep marginsShow maximum depth of invasionSpecimens containing mandible or maxilla:Bone marginsSections of bone adjacent to tumor or gross involvement of boneDiagrams and gross photos are appreciatedSpecimen Type: GLOSSECTOMY (total/partial)Gross Template: Labeled with the patient’s name (last name, first name), medical record number (#), designated “***”, and received [fresh/in formalin] is a [partial/total] glossectomy measuring *** x *** x *** cm. [Describe orientation provided]. The mucosa is remarkable for [describe lesion – location, size, distance from margins]. Sectioning reveals the lesion has a [describe cut surface of lesion] and *** cm maximum thickness. The lesion measures *** cm from the deep resection margin [indicate extent of lesion].The remaining mucosal surface is [smooth, pink, glistening, unremarkable]. Representative sections are submitted [describe cassette submission].LYMPH NODESSpecimen Type: RADICAL NECK DISSECTION (standard, modified, extended, regional)If specimen is received oriented please consult with PA/attendingSubmit all lymph nodesIf the remainder of the specimen can be submitted in less than 5 cassettes, submit entirely. If not, submit 5 cassettes of fat. For grossly positive nodes:Describe size of metastatic focus (staging cutoffs: 3 cm, 6 cm) and if extranodal extension is present grosslySections to submit:Small nodes, submit entirelyLarge nodes (including matted nodes), 1/cm including one full cross section, to include largest focus of tumor and suspicious areas for extranodal extensionOne rep of submandibular gland (more if involved by tumor; make sure to breadloaf)One rep of muscle and vein (more if involved)Gross Template: Labeled with the patient’s name (last name, first name), medical record number (#), designated “***”, and received [fresh/in formalin] is a [standard, modified, extended, regional] neck dissection measuring *** x *** x *** cm. The dissection consists of [describe tissue/glands/vasculature present]. [Describe orientation provided]. Sectioning reveals [describe number/size of lymph nodes identified]. The salivary gland is sectioned to reveal [describe cut surfaces]. The muscle is sectioned to reveal [describe cut surface]. The internal jugular vein is opened to reveal [describe contents – noting thrombosis and relation to tumor]. Representative sections are submitted [describe cassette submission].Cassette Submission: 12-15 cassettesNote: If patient has malignant tumor of the head region, for example malignant melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma or angiosarcoma of the scalp, the tail or superficial lobe of the parotid gland may be removed. The specimen should be sectioned for peri- and intraparotid lymph node. Submit appropriate sections. SALIVARY GLANDSpecimen Type: SALIVARY GLAND RESECTION (partial/total)Neoplastic:Ink surface and bread loaf (If unoriented, one color; if oriented, ink to maintain orientation)Document size (please see salivary gland CAP protocol for staging size cutoffs) describe lesion, locationSmall tumors (3 cm or less): submit entirelyLarge tumors should be sampled to demonstrate tumor type, margins, involvement of contiguous structuresLook for areas of necrosis, hemorrhage, invasive, and sclerotic areas and submit if presentLook for and submit lymph nodesSection of uninvolved gland Non-neoplastic:Small specimens (less than 10 cassettes): submit entirelyLarge specimens: rep sections; 1 is adequate for incidental removal of gland (and no gross lesions)Look for lymph nodes and submitGross Template: Labeled with the patient’s name (last name, first name), medical record number (#), designated “***”, and received [fresh/in formalin] is an [intact/disrupted] *** gram, *** x *** x *** cm salivary gland. Sectioning reveals [describe lesions including size, number color, consistency, involvement of nerve trunks, relationship to remainder of gland and capsule, relationship to resection margin]. The remaining parenchyma is [tan, lobulated, fibrotic]. [Describe size/number of lymph nodes identified]. Representative sections are submitted [describe cassette submission].Ink key: Black-external surface395287516637000THYROIDSpecimen Type: THYROIDECTOMY (hemi/total)General:Weigh (fresh), orient, and measureExamine for defects on surfaceInk: anterior blue, posterior black, orange isthmic marginCheck clinical record for location of suspected lesions (imaging/FNA)Draw diagram with locations and sizesSerially section from superior to inferior (keeping order in case you need to return to case and nodule/region)Identify other structures (lymph nodes, pyramidal lobe etc)Describe cut surfacesSize (staging size cutoffs: 1 cm, 2 cm, 4 cm)Number, location, characteristics (color, consistency, hemorrhage, necrosis, fibrosis, calcs) of nodulesEncapsulation of nodulesDistance to marginsRemaining parenchymaDesignate specific nodules into specific blocksSampling depends on the case:Single/dominant encapsulated nodule: Submit entire capsule of nodule and include nearest inked marginsIf nodule is very large, can refrain from submitting center of lesionSubmit representative uninvolved thyroid tissueSingle/dominant unencapsulated nodule (often papillary ca): If small, submit entire lesionIf >2 cm, can submit representative 1/cm; lesion to marginSubmit representative uninvolved thyroid tissueFor medullary ca, in addition to lesion, submit middle 1/3 of both lobesMultinodular goiter:1 cassette per 1 cm of the greatest dimension of the thyroidFocus on suspicious areas (solid, sclerotic, hemorrhagic)Multiple small unencapsulated nodules:Submit representative sections of each nodule and note distances to one another and marginsFocus on largest and suspicious nodulesUnremarkable gland/homogenous, diffusely enlarged: (including Graves and Hashimoto)3 blocks per lobe (upper, mid, lower) and isthmus (7 for total thyroid)Gross Template: Labeled with the patient’s name (last name, first name), medical record number (#), designated “***”, and received [fresh/in formalin] is *** gram [intact/disrupted] [hemi/total] thyroidectomy. [Describe orientation if provided] . The thyroid measures *** x *** x *** cm. The capsule is [intact, ruptured, smooth]. The specimen is serially sectioned into [#] of levels to reveal [describe any lesions present including size, color, external appearance, relationship to capsule, calcification, necrosis, relationship to uninvolved thyroid, and isthmus resection margin]. Nodule #1 is *** x *** x *** cm (encapsulated/well-circumscribed/ill defined) and measures *** cm to the anterior resection surface, *** cm to the posterior resection surface, *** cm to the isthmus resection surface, and *** to Nodule #2… The remaining cut surface is [red-brown, smooth, unremarkable]. Representative sections are submitted [describe cassette submission].LARNYXSpecimen Type: TOTAL LARYNGECTOMYProcedure:Orient specimen and determine structures presentIf radical neck dissection present, remove from larynx and process as described in the manualNote presence or absence of thyroid and hyoid boneIdentify tracheostomy site if presentInk entire soft tissue marginOpen along the posterior midline (splitting cricoid cartilage) and prop open and pin on corkboard to fix overnight Take gross photographs and draw diagramsDescribe size/presences of lesion(s)/ulcerations and structures they involve:a. Indicate location of lesion-supraglottic: (extends from the tip of epiglottis to the apex of ventricle and includes the epiglottis, aryepiglottic folds, arytenoids, false vocal cords, and the ventricle)-glottic: (extends from the ventricle to 0.5-1.0 cm below the true vocal cord and includes the anterior and posterior commissures)-subglottic: (extends from 1.0 cm below the true vocal cord to inferior rim of the cricoid cartilage)-transglottic* note if lesion crosses the midlineb. Indicate extent of lesion: document if lesion involves base of tongue, epiglottis, piriform sinus, aryepiglottic folds, arytenoid mucosa, anterior and posterior midlines, hydoid bone, thyroid, cartilage (thyroid and/or cricoid), strap muscles, and involvement of any additional tissue/organs presentDescribe remainder of specimen and additional structuresSection along anterior midline and photograph cut surfaceDescribe maximum thickness and distance to all marginsSections of larynx include:Inferior tracheal ring (margin)Closest mucosal and soft tissue marginsLesions (to include deepest invasion); if no gross lesion, block out ulcerated area and entirely submitBase of tongueEpiglottisR/L aryepiglottic folds and piriform sinusesR/L true/false cords to include ventricle and anterior commissureR/L arytenoidsHyoid, closest to tumorIf thyroid or cricoid cartilages are involved in tumor, this should be submittedThyroid (1 block is fine if uninvolved); be sure to serially section; and tracheostomy site if presentGross Template: Labeled with the patient’s name (last name, first name), medical record number (#), designated “***”, and received [fresh/in formalin] is a total laryngectomy measuring *** cm (superior-inferior) x *** cm (right-left) x *** cm (anterior-posterior). The hyoid bone measures *** x *** x *** cm.The thyroid is *** x *** x *** cm. [Describe skin on anterior surface and presence of tracheostomy site].The specimen is opened along the posterior midline to reveal a [supra-, sub-, trans- glottic] lesion [describe nature of lesion-exophytic, ulcerated, etc] located on the [indicate laterality-right, left, both, midline] measuring *** x *** cm. The lesion [crosses/does not cross] the midline. The lesion involves/does not involve the vocal cords. The lesion involves [describe extent-piriform sinus, aryepiglottic folds, cartilage, bone, thyroid, strap muscles, anterior and posterior commissure, tracheal rings, etc.]. The lesion involves/does not involve the outer cortex thyroid cartilage or tissue beyond larynx. The remaining mucosa is [tan, smooth, unremarkable]. [Describe number/size of lymph nodes identified]. Representative sections are submitted [describe cassette submission].Ink Key:Black- right Blue- leftCassette Submission: 20-25 cassettes Specimen Type: HEMILARYNGECTOMYProcedure:Fix the specimen for at least 2-4 hoursSpecimen will consist of true and false cord and underlying cartilageSeparate the soft tissue of the entire vocal cord from the underlying cartilageSection vertically at 2-3 mm internal to include true and false cordSubmit each level in separate cassettes, entirely and sequentiallyGross Template: Labeled with the patient’s name (last name, first name), medical record number (#), designated “***”, and received [fresh/in formalin] is a total laryngectomy measuring *** cm (superior-inferior) x *** cm (right-left) x *** cm (anterior-posterior). The laryngeal mucosa is remarkable for [describe any lesions including color, size, location, and extent of anatomical landmarks]. The remaining mucosa is [tan, smooth, unremarkable]. Representative sections are submitted [describe cassette submission].Cassette Submission: 10-15 cassettesSubmit each slice in separate cassette sequentially, to allow for proper localization of the tumorPARATHYROIDSpecimen Type: PARATHYROIDECTOMYWeigh and submit entirelyGross Template: Labeled with the patient’s name (last name, first name), medical record number (#), designated “***”, and received [fresh/in formalin] is *** gram, *** x *** x *** cm red-brown, semi-firm portion of tissue. The specimen is entirely submitted [describe cassette submission].Cassette Submission: 1-2 cassettes, entirely submit ................
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