Competency information
Details
Select the correct genetics test for patients referred with acquired cancer.
- As examples: sporadic colorectal cancer, lung cancer and leukaemia (CML, ALL and AML).
Considerations
- The principal referral reasons and guidelines in the cancer patient care pathway.
- Role of genetics testing in the diagnosis and treatment (clinical utility) of acquired solid tumours (e.g. sporadic colorectal cancer and lung cancer).
- Role of genetics testing in the diagnosis of leukaemia.
- The concept of minimal residual disease (MRD) and the utility of genetic testing in disease treatment and monitoring.
- The use of genetic testing in transplantation and chimerism monitoring.
- Concept of Precision Medicine and the applicability of genetic testing in guiding the treatment including the principles of cost effectiveness.
- The requirement for adherence to Turnaround Times including, but not limited to, those in national guidance such as Improving Outcomes guidance.
- The use and limitations of a range of sample types including formalin fixed paraffin embedded material, fresh frozen tissue, cell free circulating tumour DNA, bone marrow and peripheral blood.
- Wide but high level knowledge of different technologies and their application to enable appropriate decisions regarding processing and testing.
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 | Outcome Apply appropriate sample selection criteria, taking into account the implications of acquired sporadic cancer with respect to sampling mixed cell populations, limits of detection, sensitivity of assay and patient management. |
| # 2 | Outcome Apply an appropriate testing strategy for the commonly referred acquired sporadic cancers at all stages of the patient pathway. |