East Genomics

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Order cancer (solid tumour) tests

The below form should be used for the majority of solid tumour tests. Guidance is included on this page to ensure appropriate referrals and help avoid delays.

Making referrals

Different order forms should be used to refer for the below tests:

  1. For clinical genetics referrals for formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue testing (non-neoplastic testing) please go to our testing from FFPE tissue page.
  2. For whole genome sequencing (WGS), please go to whole genome sequencing.
  3. For blood tests using ctDNA, visit our ctDNA page.

All other tests, including HRD testing, should be requested using the form below. Scroll down for guidance on completing referral.

Order form

How to complete your form digitally

If you are not easily able to edit this form once saved, here are a few tips:

  1. Open the form by clicking on the above form, or downward arrow
  2. Right click and save the document to your computer
  3. You should then be able to add your detail to the form either by:
    1. selecting 'add text' option at the top of the page
    2. or (should you see a different screen), top left of page - choose TOOLS Choose FILL & SIGN Complete form
  4. Please then save, print and send with a copy of the pathology report and appropriate tissue specimens (as detailed on the form)

Essential requirements for referrals

When completing the test order form, please provide the relevant clinical indication from the national genomic test directory. A list of some of our most frequently requested tests is included at the end of this page.

Samples must meet the specimen requirements for their respective test, and must be received as cut, FFPE sections mounted on slides (uncut blocks will be returned).

To prevent delays in testing, samples received into the GLH must meet the following criteria:

  1. Patient and referrers details must be legible and fully complete on the test order form. If the contact/submitting hospital is not clearly provided, results may be delayed or sent to the incorrect location.:
    1. The following identifiers must be provided on the form for testing to proceed:
      1. Patient name
      2. Date of birth
      3. NHS number (if available)
      4. Submitting hospital
      5. Contact information (email and phone)
  2. Sample information must be fully complete on the test order form:
    1. The specimen/block number must match the slides we receive (and the histopathology report where available).
    2. The tumour nuclei percentage and marking indication (whole slide, marked area, dotted) must be provided.
    3. The marking indication must match the slides received. e.g. if ‘Marked area’ has been ticked, the slides must have a marked area (see Specimen Requirements for further guidance regarding slide marking).

Samples that do not meet the criteria, will be put on hold and will not be tested until all information is available.

Where possible, missing information will be requested via the contact details provided. If, after two working days, there has been no response, the sample will be returned to the submitting hospital, and a ‘No-testing report’ will be issued.

Frequently requested solid cancer tests (Directory v12)
Clinical indication Test code Gene targets
Colorectal Carcinoma Test code M1.1 Gene targets KRAS, NRAS, BRAF
Colorectal Carcinoma Test code M1.9 Gene targets MLH1 (sequence), MSH2 MSH6, PMS2, POLE, POLD1
Colorectal Carcinoma Test code M1.4 Gene targets MSI (Microsatellite instability)
Colorectal Carcinoma Test code M1.5 Gene targets MLH1 methylation
Endometrial Cancer Test code M215.5 Gene targets POLE
Endometrial Cancer Test code M215.2 Gene targets MLH1 methylation
Melanoma – adult Test code 7.1 Gene targets BRAF, KIT, NRAS
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Test code M4.1 Gene targets EGFR, ALK, BRAF, KRAS, MET
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Test code M4.2 Gene targets ROS1, RET, EML4-ALK, NTRK1/2/3, MET
Ovarian Carcinoma Test code M2.1 Gene targets BRCA1/2, SMARCA4
Ovarian Carcinoma Test code M2.5 Gene targets HRD, BRCA1/2
Prostate Cancer Test code M218.1 Gene targets BRCA1/2