East Genomics

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Requesting clinical genetics testing from FFPE tissue

We offer germline testing on FFPE material for patients with a family history of inherited cancer via referral from a clinical genetics team. This information is provided for clinical genetics and pathology teams.

Please use the below form if you require:

  • Germline testing for inherited cancer on non-tumour tissue from a deceased patient.
  • Germline testing for inherited cancer on tumour tissue from a deceased patient.
  • Germline testing to somatically resolve unexplained MMR-deficiency on tumour tissue.

Please consult the national genomic test directory (rare & inherited diseases) (opens in a new tab) for the appropriate clinical indication and include the associated Test ID in your referral.

Referral forms must be completed in full with contribution from both clinical genetics and pathology. Please refer to the guidance information below for additional help on completing the form.

The form can be completed digitally or printed and completed by hand.

Referral form - Solid cancer germline testing (clinical genetics)
pdf 271.2 KB

Guidance on completing the form to request testing of FFPE tissue samples

There are two parts to this form which are either completed by the clinical genetics team or the pathology team.

A flowchart depicting the completion of FFPE referral forms. Clinical genetics complete blue sections, send to pathology for completion, which then goes to East Genomics
Clinical genetics complete blue parts of the form. Pathology then complete red parts and send the completed form together with slides to East Genomics.
For clinical genetics

This form should be used for referrals from clinical genetics for familial testing on FFPE material. We can accept two types of clinical genetics referrals:

1. Testing for germline variation in deceased relatives

  • Select appropriate R code from the national genomic test directory.
  • Tumour or non-tumour tissue is required to be requested from histopathology.

Ideally, we require non-tumour tissue. If this is not available, please ask that tissue with the least amount of tumour (either in the whole slide or marked area) is sent to us.

2. Testing on tumour tissue for somatic variation in MMR genes to resolve unexplained MMR-deficiency (typically for living patients).

  • Select R210 (somatic) on the order form.
  • Request tumour tissue from the relevant histology laboratory.

For either method. Please ensure the section of the form in blue is fully completed.

Once this part of the form is complete it should be sent to the relevant pathology team for full completion.

For pathology

The pathology team is responsible for selecting the most appropriate block for testing, as indicated by the geneticists on the form.

Please ensure that the specimen contains tumour or non-tumour (whole slide or marked area) as specified by the geneticist. If tumour tissue is sent, please provide the approximate tumour cell content.

Please ensure the red section of the form is fully completed and sent with a copy of the histology report and slides for testing.

Sample requirements, sample address and contact details can be found at the bottom of the test order form.

Please contact us for any outstanding issues or queries.

This document was correct at the time of printing - 20-05-2025 05:57