Frequently Asked Questions

Classic histological reports can usually be provided within 2 working days when the specimen arrives before 12 noon, or within 24 hours after the specimen arrives in cases of high urgency (cito). When additional examinations are necessary, we almost always provide a preliminary report with the results of the classic histological examination.

Specimens that have been taken should be transferred into your own containers with formalin without delay. You can obtain these containers from us.

To avoid mixing up specimens, both the container and the form should be labelled with the patient details (name and date of birth). With several specimens, the location and/or a number should be noted on the container.

As in your practice, specimens are registered with us via a referral that should contain all insurance data. Our submission form should include details on the location, any suspected diagnoses and other clinical data relevant to the diagnosis.

Your specimens can be collected by our laboratory drivers within Berlin. Thanks to our central location at the corner of Greifswalder/Danziger Straße, our catchment area covers the eastern districts up to Hellersdorf, the northern districts up to Pankow and Hohenschönhausen, as well as large parts of Mitte and Friedrichshain.

In addition, we work with a city courier, so that your specimens reach our laboratory promptly – within 24 hours, or on the same day in cases of high urgency.

To ensure reliable diagnostics, our institute uses not only standard examinations but also special stains and immunohistological procedures. Our well-trained staff, the use of modern laboratory technology and continuous internal quality controls and training guarantee you reports at a high standard.

In addition, classic histopathological diagnostics can be supplemented by molecular genetic examinations, such as clonality analyses and mutation analyses using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), carried out by us and a network of cooperating institutes.

Our reports are prepared according to the current TNM/UICC system in combination with the WHO classification and the working guidelines of the professional societies.

You receive reports:

• classically as a printout by post, by courier or via our laboratory drivers
• electronically via LDT transfer (formatted report as PDF/A plus a brief summary) directly into your practice management system
• or by fax

Obtaining an external second opinion from highly specialised expert pathology centres is a regular part of our work in the case of rare tumours or unusual findings, as well as within the framework of peer review procedures.