Delays in confirming genomic test results are holding up the start of the best treatment option for thousands of lung patients, Cambridge experts warned this week.
One professor described the situation as “wholly unacceptable” as a report was published exploring the issues - including that some lab samples are being sent by second-class post.
An MRI scan
Published by The UK Lung Cancer Coalition on Tuesday (4 March), the report details how most of the people it interviewed said there was a two to four-week wait for genomic test results. The maximum recommended turnaround time is 14 days.
[Genomic tests](https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/cambridge-led-team-of-genomic-experts-enable-personalised-ca-9395265/) are now a critical part of the lung cancer diagnostic and treatment pathway, helping to define the molecular make-up of tumours so that the most effective, personalised treatment can be delivered for a patient’s specific lung cancer type, increasing their chance of survival.
About 30,000 lung cancer patients a year have tissue samples sent for genomic testing.
According to a recent Darzi review, less than two-thirds (60 per cent) of genomic tests are delivered on time in England.
“This is wholly unacceptable, causing significant physical and mental harm to patients, who, having already received their devastating diagnosis, then have to endure prolonged waits before starting the treatment best suited to them,” says UKLCC’s clinical lead, Robert Rintoul, a professor of thoracic oncology at the University of Cambridge and honorary consultant respiratory physician at Royal Papworth Hospital. “Lung cancer is a rapidly fatal disease so speedy access to test results and the most effective treatments is vital.
“Faster genomic testing can streamline the patient’s journey, avoid less-effective treatments and ultimately save costs for the NHS.”
The report, titled ‘Faster Testing, Better Outcomes: Genomic Testing in Lung Cancer’, demands faster turnaround times and identifies the cause of delays.
Issues include:
\- A lack of published turnaround time data across genomic laboratory hubs (GLHs); Inconsistent tissue sample quality;- Non-uniform results reporting; - Inadequate IT systems;- Staffing shortages in laboratories; and
\- Inefficient sample transportation, with some tissue samples being sent to labs for analysis by second-class post.