Specimens – Cancer Genetics and Genomics Laboratory

Specimen and Test Types

[updated: 13-MAR-2024]

Multiple Test Ordering

Individual specimens cannot be split into more than one test type. Therefore, a compatible specimen type (see table above) is required for each test type that is requested. See our FAQ for more details and contact the laboratory with any additional questions.

Specimen Types

Bone Marrow

Ship at room temperature – do not allow to freeze
Maximum transit time from collection
- RNA-based tests: 48 hours
- Cytogenetics: 3 days
- DNA-based tests: 7 days

Cytogenetics Testing: Bone Marrow Aspirate (in Transport Media) or Fresh Core (in Transport Media)	Molecular Testing: Bone Marrow Aspirate (in EDTA)
To request media: call 604-877-6000 ext 67-2094 Refrigerate at 4°C upon receiving Do not use if past expiry date Aspirate: Add 1.0 mL from the first aspirate to the first media tube Add 1.0 mL from the second aspirate to the second media tube Label tubes accordingly Core: Suspend core in transport media Exception for Multiple Myeloma FISH – Plasma cell isolation is performed on the specimen prior to testing. If additional tests are requested, a second specimen is required.	For DNA-based testing: Collect 0.5 mL in EDTA tube For RNA-based testing Collect 5 mL (preferably) in EDTA tube

Cytogenetics Testing:
Bone Marrow Aspirate (in Transport Media) or
Fresh Core (in Transport Media)

Molecular Testing:
Bone Marrow Aspirate (in EDTA)

To request media:

call 604-877-6000 ext 67-2094

Refrigerate at 4°C upon receiving

Do not use if past expiry date

Aspirate:

Add 1.0 mL from the first aspirate to the first media tube

Add 1.0 mL from the second aspirate to the second media tube

Label tubes accordingly

Core:

Suspend core in transport media

Exception for Multiple Myeloma FISH – Plasma cell isolation is performed on the specimen prior to testing. If additional tests are requested, a second specimen is required.

For DNA-based testing:

Collect 0.5 mL in EDTA tube

For RNA-based testing

Collect 5 mL (preferably) in EDTA tube

Peripheral blood

Ship at room temperature – do not allow to freeze
Maximum transit time from collection
- RNA-based tests: 48 hours
- Cytogenetics: 3 days
- DNA-based tests: 7 days

Sodium Heparin	EDTA
NOTE: Heparin inhibits PCR, making this specimen type incompatible with DNA-based and RNA-based molecular tests For Cytogenetics testing Collect 1 x 6 mL tube	For DNA-based or cytogenetics testing Collect 1 x 6 mL tube For RNA-based testing Collect 4 tubes (20 mL)

Sodium Heparin

EDTA

NOTE: Heparin inhibits PCR, making this specimen type incompatible with DNA-based and RNA-based molecular tests

For Cytogenetics testing

Collect 1 x 6 mL tube

For DNA-based or cytogenetics testing

Collect 1 x 6 mL tube

For RNA-based testing

Collect 4 tubes (20 mL)

FFPE Tissue

Select specimens that are the most recent and most representative of the patient’s current disease or the reason for testing.
- The quality of DNA in FFPE-preserved tissues degrades over time
- Genetic features may change due to disease evolution (e.g. between primary and metastasis)
Cytology specimens (FNA, pleural fluid) are acceptable if preserved in an FFPE block
Samples fixed in Bouin’s reagent, acid decalcified, or processed with other acidic reagents are not suitable
Minimum required tumour content is approximately 10-20%
- See test descriptions for specific minimum tumour requirements
FFPE blocks will be sectioned or macrodissected (cored) depending on tumour distribution

FISH	Molecular
Unstained slides or specimen blocks are acceptable An H&E stained slide with the tumour region circled should accompany each specimen block or set of unstained slides. Note the % tumour content and cellularity of the circled region on the completed requisition.	Specimen block must be sent – unstained slides cannot be tested.

FISH

Molecular

Unstained slides or specimen blocks are acceptable

An H&E stained slide with the tumour region circled should accompany each specimen block or set of unstained slides.

Note the % tumour content and cellularity of the circled region on the completed requisition.

Specimen block must be sent – unstained slides cannot be tested.

Cytogenetics Pellet

Cultured and fixed cells from previous cytogenetics testing can be used for follow-up FISH or molecular tests.
Due to the culturing process following specimen collection, cytogenetics pellets are not suitable specimens for B/T-cell clonality testing.
For cytogenetics pellets from testing performed at CGL:
- Identify specimen ID number (BC##-####) on completed requisition
For cytogenetics pellets from testing performed at another cytogenetics laboratory:
- Have specimen shipped directly to CGL with a completed requisition

Plasma (ctDNA)

Must be collected in Streck cfDNA tubes
Collect 2 x 10 mL tubes
Ship at room temperature – do not allow to freeze
Maximum transit time from collection: 5 days
To order Streck tubes, please contact the laboratory

Other

In exceptional circumstances, testing may be possible on other specimen types. Please contact the laboratory prior to requesting testing or sending a specimen.

Shipping

Requested testing	Address
Hematological FFPE specimens for FISH	Cancer Genetics and Genomics Laboratory BC Cancer Room #3307 – 600 West 10th Avenue Vancouver, BC V5Z 4E6
FFPE specimens for Molecular	Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine BC Cancer Room #3225 – 600 West 10th Avenue Vancouver, BC V5Z 4E6
Chimerism (Post-transplant)	Stem Cell Assay – Terry Fox Laboratory 675 West 10th Ave. Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3