Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to talk to my doctor about this, or will SpeciCare?
In most cases the patient and/or caregiver must express desire to have the tissue saved and tested with SpeciCare. If your physician has questions or concerns, our medical team is happy to speak with them.
If you do not have an oncologist yet, it’s important to note that SpeciCare is a pre-surgical/biopsy decision and does not require you to have an oncologist going into surgery. Often, that decision is made after surgery.
What happens to my tumor if I don’t store it in a tumor bank?
Generally, hospitals keep a small portion of the tumor for subsequent analysis if questions arise later. They preserve it by placing it in formalin and embedding it in wax, which does not keep it alive and limits its usefulness. This tissue is then discarded after a few weeks. Our process emphasizes the fact that your tissue is like your fingerprint. Everyone’s is different and you have the right to own and control its use for your benefit. By storing it alive with SpeciCare, you can maximize the opportunities and create options that would otherwise not be available in your care.
How long will I be able to store my tissue?
Our precise cryopreservation process ensures that your tumor tissue will remain viable for not (alive) months, but years, for your use.
Why is access to my live tissue and blood products so important?
Does it matter what type of tumor I have?
Who will recommend the appropriate way to utilize my tumor tissue?
By choosing to store your valuable tumor tissue with SpeciCare, you will have control of how that tissue will be put to best use for your care. You and your care team will determine the best use of your tissue for your current and future care.
If my cancer transforms or is altered by chemo will my stored tissue still be effective in providing me options?
Will utilizing SpeciCare change how the surgeon does my surgery?
Will my surgeon know how to collect my tumor tissue?
A SpeciKit with easy to follow detailed instructions for your clinical team will be sent to you, your provider or a loved one prior to your surgery. You bring it with you on the day of the procedure and give it to the appropriate person on your care team. Our patient advocates will coordinate the shipping details and logistics, and are available if you have any questions. Please feel free to contact us anytime the day of the procedure, since we are committed to what is best for you and your loved ones.
Will utilizing SpeciCare mean that I will not get a pathology report from my doctor?
Can I still store my tumor tissue if I’ve had chemo?
If I have a recurrence, do I need to recollect if I previously collected with SpeciCare?
What is the cost to collect, test and preserve my tumor through SpeciCare?
Does insurance cover the cost of tissue storage?
How much tumor do you need?
Do you ship kits outside the United States?
How do I access my tumor when I need it?
Will any of my tumor be used for general research?
Is there a chance my tissue won’t be viable (live)?
What happens to my tissue if I die?
Doesn’t my hospital save my tumor?
What is cryopreservation of tumor tissue?
Cryopreservation of tumor tissue is the process of preserving tumor samples at extremely low temperatures, typically -80°C (dry ice freezer) or -196°C (liquid nitrogen).
Why Should I Preserve My Tumor Tissue?
Preserving your tumor tissue can be a powerful step in your cancer journey, offering significant benefits for both your current and future treatment, as well as contributing to broader cancer research. Here’s a breakdown of why it’s a valuable consideration. Read More….
How is Cryopreserved Tissue Different from Standard FFPE Preservation?
Cryopreserved tissue (often referred to as “fresh frozen” or “flash-frozen”) and standard pathology (Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded, or FFPE) tissue represent two fundamentally different approaches to tissue preservation, each with distinct advantages and disadvantages, especially concerning downstream applications. Read More…
Who is Tissue Cryopreservation For?
Tissue cryopreservation is for anyone whose future health, fertility, or the understanding of their disease could benefit from the long-term preservation of biological tissue in a viable and analyzable state. Read More….
When Should I Cryopreserve Tumor Tissue?
The ideal time to cryopreserve your tumor tissue is as early as possible in your cancer journey, ideally at the time of initial diagnosis or surgical removal of the tumor. Read More….
Can I Cryopreserve Tissue After My Biopsy?
Yes, as long as the process is started at the time of biopsy. For many patients, a biopsy is the very first opportunity to obtain tumor tissue, and it’s the best time to consider cryopreservation. If your biopsy tissue is not cryopreserved at the time of your biopsy, it was likely preserved by the inferior FFPE method and you should strongly consider blood cryopreservation as a back up and it is best taken prior to any chemo treatments. Read More….
Does Specicare Coordinate with My Doctor or Hospital?
What Happens to My Tumor Tissue After it is Cryopreserved?
Once your tumor tissue is successfully cryopreserved, it enters a state of suspended animation, essentially “on pause” until it’s needed. The purpose of this preservation is to unlock a wide range of advanced options for your current and future cancer care, as well as to contribute to broader scientific understanding Read More…