Part I – Pre-analytical phase
Caterina Marchiò, Enrico Berrino, Stefania Scarpino, Greta Alì, Sara E. Bellomo, Simonetta Buglioni, Andrea Capece, Eliano Cascardi, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Elena Guerini-Rocco, Antonio Giovanni Iaccarino, Marzia Nieddu, Daniela Nobilio, Pasquale Pisapia, Leonardo H. Tonelli, Gianluca Witel, Anna Sapino, Fabio Pagni, Nicola Fusco, Giancarlo Pruneri, Umberto Malapelle
Abstract
Precision oncology relies on pathology to integrate morphological and genomic data for tailored treatment selection. The preanalytical phase, covering all steps from specimen collection to processing before analysis, is one of the major determinants of the quality of downstream molecular analyses, which are essential for selection personalized thera-peutic strategies. Strict adherence to protocols and specific quality control programs are essential to ensure the reliability and standardization of molecular testing. This document intends to guide the multidisciplinary team (pathologists, technicians, molecular biologists) in pathology laboratories during the preparation of samples for molecular analyses.