FFPE
Also written as: FFPE — Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded
Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples used for molecular testing in oncology. Critical specimen type for editors to recognize in clinical reports.
Full Definition
Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) refers to tissue samples that have been preserved using formalin and embedded in paraffin wax for histological analysis. In precision oncology, FFPE samples are the most common specimen type used for genomic profiling and biomarker testing. While FFPE preservation can fragment DNA and affect RNA quality, advances in extraction and sequencing technologies have made these archived samples valuable for molecular analysis. Editors must understand that FFPE quality affects test interpretability and may influence which molecular tests can be performed successfully.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalize all letters; hyphenate the expanded form.
In Context
- "The FFPE block contained sufficient tumor content for comprehensive genomic profiling." — Pathology report
- "DNA extraction from FFPE samples yielded adequate quality for sequencing analysis." — Laboratory report