Head and Neck Cancer PCR Panel

Testing Laboratory

Department

Virology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

HNCA

Test Code (Numeric Code)

8211

Laboratory Handling

Transport

Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue block (room temperature); Fresh tissue (refrigerated).

Laboratory

Fresh tissue sample should be sent to the Molecular Infectious Diseases section during normal working hours, Monday to Friday (08:00–16:00). After hours and on weekends, store specimens at 2–8°C in the designated box/rack in ALSS. FFPE/PET tissue blocks at ambient temperature.

Sample Stability

Fresh tissue sample: Stable at room temperature for up to 24 hours and at 2–8°C for up to 7 days, should be frozen after 7 days.

Synonyms

Head and Neck Cancer HPV PCR Panel,
HPV PCR

Turnaround Time

1 week

Test not performed over weekend.

Specimen Type

• Tissue

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Please refer to Additional Information below

Acceptable

• Please refer to Additional Information below

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• N/A

Additional Specimen Information

For tissue specimens, submit either:
Fresh tissue in sterile normal saline, or
Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue.

Aliquot Instructions

Transport to Lab

Ambient (8 - 24 degrees Celsius)
Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

Sample requirement:
Fresh tissue: submit in sterile normal saline.
Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE/PET) tissue block.

Sample stability:
Fresh tissue: stable at 2–8°C for up to 7 days; freeze if storage exceeds 7 days.
FFPE/paraffin block: stable at ambient temperature.

Transport:
Fresh tissue: transport chilled at 2–8°C; transport frozen if the refrigerated stability period will be exceeded.
FFPE/paraffin block: transport at ambient temperature.

Note that human papillomavirus (HPV) nucleic acid detection testing of cervical specimens is not performed by LabPLUS VIM Molecular Diagnostics as this is done by the Anatomical Pathology Services- National Cervical Screening Programme (NCSP).

Test Method

Qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (detected / not detected).
Targets:
• High-risk oncogenic HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35 and 52
• Low-risk HPV types 6 and 11 (causative agents of genital warts and laryngeal papillomatosis).

Urgent enquiries:
In normal working hours (08:00-16:00 Mon-Fri) contact Clinical Virology via LabLINK (internal extension 22000, external number 09 307 8995).
Outside of normal working hours (evenings and weekends) contact the On Call Clinical Microbiologist via Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai Auckland main switchboard (09 367 0000).
Non-urgent enquiries:
Email: AK-MOL-INF-DIS@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Contact Information