When most patients are diagnosed with cancer, they assume their care team is preserving every possible option for future treatment. But in truth, a quiet failure happens in nearly every cancer case—before a second opinion can be given, before genomic testing can begin, and before patients are told the full extent of their options.
That failure is FFPE—formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue preservation. Used in pathology labs for over 100 years, this method chemically alters tumor tissue and, in the process, destroys the very data that advanced diagnostics and clinical trials rely on today. This represents a very real crisis in cancer care.
FFPE may preserve a snapshot of what the tissue looks like under a microscope, but it compromises the DNA, RNA, and proteins that could offer life-saving insight into how a patient’s unique cancer might respond to modern treatments.
This is the most important conversation that most cancer patients NEVER have with their doctor.
What Is FFPE—and Why Is It a Problem?
In FFPE, tissue is soaked in formaldehyde and embedded in wax blocks for slicing and storage. This process is effective for basic histological analysis but chemically alters or degrades genetic material, rendering it minimally effective for future use.
The result? Critical molecular data is lost or corrupted.
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30–50% of DNA is damaged or fragmented beyond use
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RNA degradation is severe, often rendering transcriptomic tests impossible
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Protein structures and immune markers can be altered or masked
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FFPE samples are frequently rejected from clinical trials and genomic tests
According to Modern Pathology (2022), next-generation sequencing (NGS) fails in 20–40% of FFPE samples. And Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology reports that up to 60% of FFPE samples submitted for trials are rejected due to poor quality. NOT cryopreserving your tissue dramatically limits your options, should your initial treatment fail.
How FFPE Limits Clinical Trial Access
Most cancer patients are unaware that their preserved tumor tissue will determine whether they’re eligible for advanced testing or life-saving clinical trials.
But tissue quality is one of the top disqualifying factors in trial eligibility. It’s not because the patient isn’t a fit—it’s because their tissue can’t be used for molecular or genetic screening.
This is especially dangerous considering:
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1 in 3 cancer patients will face recurrence after their initial treatment
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Many new clinical trials require viable DNA and RNA for inclusion
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Only 3–6% of adult cancer patients participate in clinical trials, largely because of access and eligibility constraints
In other words: the way your tissue is stored today can decide your options tomorrow.
Cryopreservation: A Smarter, Future-Proof Alternative
Cryopreservation is a modern method that flash-freezes tumor tissue, preserving its full molecular integrity without chemical damage. Unlike FFPE, cryopreserved tissue is usable for comprehensive testing, future re-analysis, and advanced clinical trial enrollment.
Key Advantages of Cryopreservation:
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Preserves >95% of DNA and RNA in usable form
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Enables whole genome sequencing, proteomics, AI analysis
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Retains immune markers for immunotherapy profiling
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Keeps your options open indefinitely—stored tissue can be retested years later
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Accepted for modern clinical trials and next-gen therapies
The One-Chance Window Most Patients Miss
The moment a tumor is removed is often the only opportunity to preserve it correctly. Once it’s fixed in formalin, the damage is done—and irreversible. Patients are rarely told about cryopreservation. Most hospitals don’t offer it, and by the time patients ask for advanced testing or seek second opinions, it’s often too late.
This is why SpeciCare was founded: to give patients the option that standard care overlooks.
A Patient-Centered Solution: SpeciCare
SpeciCare provides patients with the ability to cryopreserve their tumor tissue and blood at the time of biopsy or surgery—before it’s chemically altered or discarded. This ensures that if the first treatment fails, or if better options emerge, the patient’s tissue is ready for advanced testing and matching to trials that could save their life.
Cryopreservation isn’t a luxury. It’s a lifeline.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or preparing for surgery, ask about cryopreserving your tissue. You may only get one chance. Call Specicare to learn more today. 833-242-2873
📚 Sources:
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Modern Pathology. (2022). Effect of FFPE on NGS failure rates.
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Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology. (2021). Barriers to clinical trial enrollment in cancer care.
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National Cancer Institute. (2023). Clinical Trial Participation Stats.
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Journal of Clinical Pathology. (2021). Degradation of nucleic acids in FFPE tissue.
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