Client notification
Client alert: Update to solid tumor molecular & NGS tissue submission process
To streamline specimen handling and reduce testing delays, NeoGenomics is updating the FFPE block selection process for solid tumor molecular and next-generation sequencing (NGS) testing.
For molecular and NGS tissue testing, NeoGenomics pathologists will review submitted materials and select the most appropriate blocks for processing, based on considerations of confirmed histologic presence of malignancy, tumor adequacy, and cancer type in alignment with the accompanying pathology report. They may combine tissue from multiple blocks when appropriate to enable successful generation of molecular or genomic results.
Going forward, the following note will apply to molecular and NGS test orders submitted through NeoLINK®:
"For molecular/NGS testing, NeoGenomics pathologists will determine optimal FFPE block selection and/or combine received blocks for testing as medically appropriate. “
A write-in area will be available for clients to provide specific instructions if exceptions are needed.
Previously, when submitting multiple blocks, clients selected one of the following: Choose Best Block (for global molecular/NGS testing only), IHC testing on all blocks, or assignment of individual blocks to specific tests. If no selection was made, testing was held until clarification was received; this gave rise to delays in testing. The "Choose Best Block" option has been discontinued; pathologists will now make this determination.
Tissue submission recommendations
To support optimal testing, please submit:
- One FFPE block for large resection specimens with abundant tumor tissue, or
- Up to four FFPE blocks for smaller specimens, such as core biopsies or cell blocks.
Only blocks from the same procedure and the same tumor should be submitted together. If more than one primary cancer is present for a particular patient, these should be separated into discrete test orders.
If you have questions about specimen submission requirements, please contact your NeoGenomics representative or call our Client Services team at 239.768.0600, option 3.