Evaluation of the effect of time of fixation and microwave treatment on quality of fatty tissue fixation in breast cancer specimens

Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate fatty tissue fixation using microwave and different times of processing in breast samples. 132 fatty tissues were included in this study. Fixation of samples at room temperature in 10% Formal saline showed better results for cellular outlines, nuclear details, overall morphology and staining than samples fixed at room temperature in 10% Formaline. Fixation of samples under Microwave oven at (60°C) in 10% Formalin for 5 min showed better results than samples fixed for 7 min & 10 min under Microwave oven at (60°C) in 10% Formalin. Fixation of samples under Microwave oven at (60°C) in 10% Formal saline for 5 min showed better results for cellular outlines, nuclear details, overall morphology and staining than samples fixed for 7 min & for 10 min fixed under Microwave oven at (60°C) in 10% Formal saline. The microscopic results of fixation in 10% Formal saline under Microwave oven at (60°C) for 5 minutes were excellent for fatty tissues. In this study it was found that microwave processing considerably shortens the time for fixation of fatty tissues without a demonstrable decrease in section quality or interpretation.