summerstorm- to the lab where I work what we do with these samples, if all colon is out, we basically give a brief description on the sample, open it out. It is a tube like thing so we open it ,rinse with water then GROSS exam it. What I mean with gross is to give a description what sample was received, if tumor is seen and where it is located or whatever abnormality you can observe or describe it too as normal to the parts where you can see that it is unremarkably normal. After Grossing, colon sample will be soak in Formaldehyde for 24 hours for FIXATION.
After fixation, representative samples from the different parts of the colon so as the damage part or tumor will be taken for processing in a machine which will take again another 24 hours. Then, a lab technologist will embed these samples in what they call paraffin. After embedding, then tissue cutting. Tissue cutting means the representative samples will be cut in microns (very,very thin)to be able to put this in a slide. Once slides were prepared it is given to the Pathologist for him or her to see in a microscope. The pathologist is the one who makes and confirms the diagnosis. Then report will be given to the doctors or surgeons in charge to relay the pathological report of the sample.
I hope I have given you a brief information on how it works in the lab.