Sending a case in detail
A paraffin block can be shipped, so can a tube of plasma. What you need to know is here.
The basic idea
Molecular diagnostics need not take place where the material was taken. The specimen comes to us, is reported here, and the report goes back to you. We clarify the preanalytics with you beforehand, so that the first sample is not the one where something goes wrong. If you are unsure whether a case is suitable, call before you send.
What to send
For most tests, paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPE) suffices. Send the block or, if the block must stay in house, unstained sections on slides, along with the corresponding H&E section for orientation. Cytological preparations we accept after consultation.
For diagnostics from blood (liquid biopsy) send plasma in Streck tubes. You can request a collection set from us; we send two to four tubes depending on the test, usually two suffice. The return shipping is cooled on the day of collection, and the sample should reach our laboratory within four days. With circulating tumour DNA this window is not negotiable, because whether anything can be detected at all depends on it. Discuss the case with us beforehand.
What matters about the material
Two things decide usability: the decalcification and the quantity. Decalcified material we can generally process, provided it was EDTA-decalcified — EDTA spares the nucleic acids, whereas strong acids fragment them and can render the material unusable. When bone or calcified tissue is involved, talk to us before decalcification, so that the right method is chosen. Fixation time is not an exclusion criterion; whether the material holds up shows in our quality control.
You need not concern yourself with the tumour content. The assessment, the annotation and the enrichment of the tumour fraction are ours to handle. That is our part of the work, not yours.
What to include with the case
We need the details without which a molecular report cannot be placed: the entity and the clinical question, the relevant prior finding (histology, immunohistochemistry where applicable), and a statement of which test you want or which treatment decision is pending. The clearer the question, the more focused the report. If you are unsure which test fits, leave the question open and we will settle it with you.
Shipping
A paraffin block ships without complication and needs no cooling. Plasma samples and other temperature-sensitive materials follow the specifications we set with you when arranging the case.
Send cases to our laboratory: Gemeinschaftspraxis für Pathologie Traunstein, Cuno-Niggl-Str. 3, 83278 Traunstein, Germany. For questions of logistics and clinical coordination reach us at molpath@pathots.de, for the commercial side at rechnung@pathots.de. A submission form and labels we provide on request.
Turnaround
All times count from receipt of the material with us, not from collection. The prognostic signatures and sequencing take five to ten working days; diagnostics from plasma and focused single-gene diagnostics five working days. If a value lies outside the validated range, we do not report it but come back to you.
The report
The report is issued in English and signed by a specialist in pathology. It names the result, the method and the clinical placement. For questions about the report you can reach us directly.