Sample Collection and Processing
For solid tumours the Biobank collects from each patient undergoing surgery a sample ‘six-pack’ comprising of:
1. |
Tumour tissue |
-formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) |
2. |
|
-snap frozen |
3. |
Diseased tissue |
-formalin fixed and paraffin embedded |
4. |
|
-snap frozen |
5. |
Urine |
-pre-operative |
6. |
Blood |
-serum, plasma and whole blood (pre-operative) |
Each 6-pack of samples is linked to a patient’s surgical event. If the same patient returns for a further operation, the Biobank will collect a second ‘six-pack’ for this event.
For the ‘liquid’ or cancers of the blood, such as leukaemia, the Biobank doesn’t collect a six-pack but collects either blood of bone marrow from patients when they are having these samples taken for routine clinical tests. For these types of cancers, patients may make several serial donations to the Biobank each time to attend the hospital for clinical reasons.
The Biobank only ever collect samples from patients already in hospital for treatment. Patients will never have to make a special visit to hospital solely to donate to the MCRC Biobank.
The Biobank feels quality sample collection is of utmost importance. For this reason, each collaborating Trust has at least one full time Biobank Technician based on site. They are responsible for the whole process of sample collection, from gaining consent from patients, through to sample collection, processing and transport of the samples back to the Biobank. All Biobank Technicians must follow detailed operating procedures to ensure all sample collection is standardised across the region.
The flowchart below shows the pathway of collection for the solid tissue collections.
