{"title":"Before a biopsy, ask about the tissue","summary":"Some future tests depend on how the sample is handled. Have this conversation before the procedure.","body":"I learned about preservation after my biopsies. By then, some tests I wanted no longer had the sample they needed. The useful lesson is to plan early, not to tell everyone to freeze everything.\n\n## 1. Tell the team what you may need\n\nAsk the surgeon or proceduralist, pathology team and receiving lab to coordinate. Start with:\n\n> After the tissue needed for diagnosis and planned care is secured, is there enough to preserve for the additional testing we are considering? What format does that lab require?\n\nThe answer may be no. A small biopsy has a limited amount of material, and safe diagnosis comes first.\n\n## 2. Match the format to the test\n\n| Format | What to understand |\n| --- | --- |\n| Fixed tissue, often called FFPE | Commonly used for pathology and many molecular tests. It is still valuable. |\n| Fresh or cryopreserved live cells | Some drug-response tests and research workflows need viable cells. |\n| Flash-frozen tissue | Some molecular analyses use frozen material; it is not the same as keeping cells alive. |\n\nDifferent labs have different requirements. Do not improvise the container, temperature or shipping process yourself.\n\n## 3. Get the logistics settled\n\n1. Which lab receives the sample, and who orders the work?\n2. Who supplies the kit and written handling instructions?\n3. Who owns each handoff, including shipping and arrival confirmation?\n4. How much tissue will each test consume, and what remains afterward?\n5. What are the collection, storage, testing and release fees?\n\nKernis coordinates preservation. [Travera](/companies/travera/) tests live cells. [Valius](/companies/valius-sciences/) and [Inocras](/companies/inocras/) describe testing that can use fixed samples. Their requirements are not interchangeable.\n\n## Already had the biopsy?\n\nAsk pathology what blocks, slides, fluids or frozen material still exist and which outside labs can use them. Get the specimen identifier and release process. “Not frozen” does not mean “useless.”","topics":["samples"],"capabilities":[],"sources":[{"id":"kernis-process","label":"Tissue formats and coordination","url":"https://kernis.health/patient-journey.html","publisher":"Kernis Health","checkedAt":"2026-10-22","type":"official"},{"id":"valius","label":"Fixed-tissue profiling requirements","url":"https://www.valiussciences.com/","publisher":"Valius Sciences","checkedAt":"2026-10-22","type":"official"},{"id":"inocras-providers","label":"CancerVision sample requirements","url":"https://inocras.com/cancer-provider/","publisher":"Inocras","checkedAt":"2026-10-22","type":"official"},{"id":"travera","label":"Live-cell testing overview","url":"https://www.travera.com/","publisher":"Travera","checkedAt":"2026-10-22","type":"official"},{"id":"x-2111208969243119904","label":"What I learned after my biopsies","url":"https://x.com/kevinace/status/2111208969243119904","publisher":"Kevin Wimer on X","checkedAt":"2026-10-22","supports":"Personal experience, read in Kevin’s supplied X export. Not independent clinical evidence.","type":"experience"}],"applicability":"For patients and caregivers preparing questions with their cancer care team.","limitations":"Preservation details come from the linked providers and must be agreed with the treating team and receiving lab. Tissue access, release and ownership rules vary; there is no universal right to every specimen.","disclosure":{"type":"none","text":"No paid placement. I have no investment, advisory role, paid partnership or other financial relationship with the twelve companies in this initial directory."},"reviewedAt":"2026-10-22","relatedIds":["22346548-bf33-4671-a2b8-3657c9915b3b","a0923b3c-1e05-42f4-8f96-60cfcc13f5bf","f2e7ed16-4c04-42d2-b7ba-4d28d08e2b53","3340ac28-f483-4a86-bcaf-d2034338f17b"],"assetIds":["a8462f24-ce8a-4f09-82f3-861085d73b95","99a3000e-22d3-4ffd-8eb9-ea44694a4d06"],"xDiscussion":"https://x.com/kevinace/status/2111208969243119904","relatedX":[],"facts":[],"id":"af18cbc9-1c7f-4799-a763-3f53ba52b1fd","kind":"resource","slug":"preserve-tissue","revision":"bf829e9a-2ae0-4d8e-9d43-8959772471c3","canonicalUrl":"https://kevinwimer.com/resources/preserve-tissue/","publishedAt":"2026-10-23T00:00:15.301Z","updatedAt":"2026-10-23T00:00:15.301Z","previewOnly":false,"illustrationAssetId":"a8462f24-ce8a-4f09-82f3-861085d73b95","shareImageAssetId":"99a3000e-22d3-4ffd-8eb9-ea44694a4d06"}