RCL2, a potential formalin substitute for tissue fixation in routine pathological specimens.

Aims: To investigate RCL2 as a fixative for tissue fixation in routine histopathological examination and to assess tissue suitability for ancillary investigations.

Methods And Results:   Forty-nine samples from 36 fresh specimens were cut into three equal pieces and fixed in RCL2 diluted in 100% ethanol, RCL2 in 95% ethanol, or neutral buffered formalin as control. Suitability for microtomy, quality of histomorphology, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, fluorescent and silver in-situ hybridization analysis and extracted genomic DNA were assessed.