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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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BRAF MUTATION ANALYSIS, PCR

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB1883    Geisinger Epic ID:  41315
Test Restriction:  LAB ORDER ONLY

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type:  Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPE)
Preferred collection container: 
Specimen required: 
Two (2) 10 micron sections in 50 mL tube (preferred), four (4) 10 micron FFPE unstained slides with H&E or paraffin block.
Special notes: 
For requests from non-Geisinger sites, please send: Five (5) 10 micron FFPE sections (scrolls)-preferred specimen, H&E slide, source of specimen, and tumor assessment (<10% or >10%). Alternatively, send FFPE block. Isolated/extracted nucleic acids are acceptable only from CLIA-certified laboratories or a laboratory meeting equivalent requirements as determined by CAP and/or CMS.

SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Transport temperature: 
Room temperature (18-25°C).
Specimen stability: 
Indefinitely.
Rejection criteria: 
Blocks containing no tumor (evaluted by pathologist) will be rejected. FFPE tissues that have been decalcified. Insufficient DNA.

TEST DETAILS
Reference interval: 
Negative for mutation tested.
Additional information: 
Abundance of melanin pigment may interfere with the assay.
CPT code(s):  81210
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Test includes: 
Identification of BRAF mutations in codon 600.
(1) Colorectal or metastasized colorectal cancer - V600E/D or V600K/R;
(2) All other cancer types - V600E/E2/D or V600K/R/M.
Methodology: 
Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Synonyms: 
BRAF; V-RAF murine sarcome viral oncogene homolog B1, proto-oncogen B-Raf, serine/threonine-protein kinase B-Raf
Clinical significance: 
Detect activating BRAF mutations at codon 600, which can indicate responsiveness to BRAF inhibitors in melanomas or resistance to anti-EGFR therapy in colorectal cancer. Useful in assessing prognosis of certain thyroid cancers. Can also be used within the Lynch syndrome reflex testing pathway (for colorectal cancer specimens only).
Doctoral Director(s): 
Yi Ding MD, PhD
Review Date:  09/24/2024

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