EGFR Mutation Analysis, Cell Pellet




Test Mnemonic

EGFRCP

CPT Codes

  • 81235 - QTY (1)

Aliases

  • Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation

Performing Laboratory

n/a


Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
UnspecifiedAspirate, fine needleCytoLyt solutionAmbient  

Alternate Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
UnspecifiedAspirate, fine needlePreservCyt SolutionAmbient  

Days Performed

1 day per week

Turnaround Time

7 - 10 days

Methodology

Name Description
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) 

Special Info

The specimen submitted for analysis should contain >20% tumor cells. Please include ThinPrep slide and a copy of cytology report. CytoLyt solution containers are available by calling Client Services at 216-444-5755 or 800-628-6816 or the storeroom (107020). NOTE: EGFR Mutation Analysis on FFPE tissue and cytopathology cell blocks is a different test and is ordered as EGFR, Mutation Analysis, TISSUE. Please submit a surgical pathology requisition for tissue and cytopathology cell block specimens.

Clinical Info

Cancers of the lung are aggressive diseases, accounting for approximately 30% of all cancer deaths in the US in 2009, with the overall survival rate of patients with metastatic disease <15% . Different histological subtypes exist; Small-Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) which accounts for approximately 20% of lung cancer cases, and Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), which accounts for the majority of lung cancer cases in the US. NSCLC includes adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and undifferentiated large-cell carincoma. NSCLC tumors are also categorized according to molecular criteria. EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor)-mutant NSCLC has been defined as a distinct, clinically relevant molecularly defined subset of lung cancer. EGFR-mutant tumors are histologically similar to adenocarcinomas, and are often associated with better prognosis than EGFR wild-type tumors, due in the most part to their increased sensitivity to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) such as erlotinib (Tarceva; Genentech/OSI Pharmaceuticals) or gefitinib (Iressa; AstraZeneca). However, not all mutations in the EGFR gene confer sensitivity to TKIs, and primary resistance is still observed. In addition to this, acquired resistance can develop after prolonged TKI exposure, which limits the effectiveness of this type of treatment.

Clinical Limitation

n/a

Clinical Reference

n/a

Technical Brief