1 – Program overview

This external quality assessment program evaluates the accuracy of specialised tumour marker assays, with an interlaboratory comparison by peer group.

Statistical reports are sent with supporting comments from the expert clinical biologists / program coordinators.

Participating labs can choose to be assessed for all the analytes of this program, or simply a subset of analytes of interest.

2 – Assessment frequency

Number of surveys per year: 6
Number of control samples per survey: 1 or 2
Number of samples per year: 9

3 – List of analytes assessed

• CA 72-4
• Cyfra 21-1
• NSE
• Free beta hCG
• Thyroglobulin

4 – Description of the control samples

Lyophilised human control serum (samples to be resuspended in 1 mL of distilled water).