Page 9 - Essentia Vol 5 Issue 1

VOL V | ISSUE I | 5 AUGUST 2026 VOL V | ISSUE I | 5 AUGUST 2026
A BIANNUAL NEWSLETTER OF ASSAM CANCER CARE FOUNDATION A BIANNUAL NEWSLETTER OF ASSAM CANCER CARE FOUNDATION

as Levey-Jennings plots and Westgard rules help scoring systems. Molecular laboratories may also
monitor deviations and guide corrective action. be assessed for detection of mutations such as
In histopathology, IQC includes standardised EGFR, KRAS or BRAF, or for fluorescence in situ
pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical hybridisation (FISH) analysis, ensuring that sample
procedures to ensure high-quality formalin- processing and reporting protocols meet national
fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) blocks and and international standards. Any failed EQA round
haematoxylin and eosin-stained slides. In should lead to investigation, root cause analysis
molecular testing, positive and negative and corrective action.
controls, internal amplification controls and DNA
quantification controls help maintain confidence in Interlaboratory comparison
results. Interlaboratory Comparison involves the voluntary
or organised comparison of results between two
External quality assessment and or more laboratories performing similar tests. It
proficiency testing supports standardisation across hospital networks
External Quality Assessment (EQA), also called or regions, helps identify method-related biases
Proficiency Testing (PT), is conducted by external or variations, and encourages collaboration for
agencies or quality bodies. Participating troubleshooting and method development.
laboratories receive blinded samples at regular In a cancer hospital network with satellite
intervals and are required to analyse and report laboratories or partner institutions, interlaboratory
results. comparisons help ensure that test results remain
EQA allows laboratories to benchmark clinically interpretable, regardless of where the
performance against national and international sample is tested.
standards, identify systemic or procedural errors,
support accreditation requirements and reassure Conclusion
clinicians and patients of diagnostic competence. Quality assurance in an oncology laboratory is a
In oncology, EQA and PT programmes are often continuous commitment to excellence. As cancer
specialised. Histopathology EQA may require treatment becomes increasingly guided by
laboratories to process biopsy samples, perform precise and personalised diagnostics, robust IQC,
routine and specialised stains, process and analyse EQA/PT and ILC systems are essential to accurate,
specific immunohistochemistry markers, and timely diagnosis and effective treatment planning.
diagnose cases using quantitative or qualitative

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