Specimen Information

A separate sample is needed for Flow Cytometry analysis. It is essential to include history of cancer/radiation/chemotherapy on the laboratory requisition.

• Cytologic evaluation of urinary tract specimens requires a fresh specimen.
• Clean Catch or First Stream voided urines are acceptable for evaluation
• The optimum voided urine specimen is one collected in the morning after good hydration:
  • Discard the first  morning specimen
  • Hydrate patient with 3-4 glasses of water
  • Collect the next voided urine specimen (usually after15-30 minutes) and submit to the laboratory for processing.
• Deliver fresh specimens to the laboratory immediately after collection. 
• Specimen containers (not the lid) need to be labeled with patient identifiers: legal first and last name, and MRN or DOB. 
• Samples collected between 4:00pm and 7:30am should be refrigerated with up to 30mL of CytoLyt transport media added.
• Urine specimens submitted by referral hospitals and clinician offices must be refrigerated upon collection.
• Samples pooled over two or three days show significant cell loss and degeneration, without any gain in diagnostic efficacy; they are generally discouraged.
• Cystoscopically directed brushes of the renal pelvis, ureter, bladder or urethra refer to Cytology Urinary Tract Brush - Wash