What experience has anyone had with the Signatera blood test?

I’m sorry, but I have not had any really good experience with Natera. So, I have never gotten any results from them. My journey with them started almost two months ago. On June 6th., my oncologist ordered the test. Within a few days, Mayo in Arizona sent the sample and it was received at natera according to my patient portal.

After a few days, my portal indicated that natera needed new samples. Apparently, the first sample was not giving them enough information. In contacting them on 6/23, I was told they requested samples from Abrazo Arrowhead hospital where I had my Turbt procedure done in early July 2024. To this day they will not confirm if the samples were ever received.

I waited patiently hoping they received the tissue and the test was in process. Finally, on July 18th. I called Natera and was told they were in process of getting tissue from Abrazo hospital AGAIN. The representative said my oncologist was called and it was agreed between both parties that was the best solution. Four days later I received a call from a different person that told me they received a different sample from Mayo and it would take 4 weeks plus to get the results because it was the first time for the test.

It still shows that Natera is waiting for tissue. They don’t seem to do anything until myself or my oncologist office check for an update. I believe that I am destined to not have the Signatera test done. It would have helped me and my oncologist to decide what action to take.

New northstar assay drawn today. They did not bring the northstar kit yesterday. It was the first time ever for CCBW so not unexpected. Unfortunately, the RN was delayed this morning so nivo 5 was at 1130AM instead of 10AM. Kind of a disappointment. And CCBW had no idea what happened so I was a bit upset. Not the RN's fault. I have had headaches all week along with a stuffy nose and discomfort in my nasal cavities so it looks like I have a sinus infection or (nivo intensified) allergies on my left side.

7/1 signatera was negative fortunately.

The problem is probably Natera.. they sent me someone else's positive results in error. Frightening

It was both. Natera told me the samples are valid for seven days. It turns out to be 10 days. Mayo delayed sending the samples. Mayo called me yesterday to apologize. They are working on improving the process.

Thank you! Wait and see. Hopefully, Signatera remains negative.

This sounds more like a Mayo issue than Natera.
That can be frustrating when you're waiting to hear news. I hope your results are good!

Natera confirmed to Mayo that samples last 10 days. So no mobile draw today. Results should be available by 7/19. Usually a bit sooner.

Natera did receive the sample late yesterday. I am waiting on Natera to let me know if the sample is still viable as it is seven days old at this point.

Hopefully you will not have a recurrence!

I had to call Baptist MD Anderson to get them to send my TURBT tissue as the RC tissue was too tiny and inadequate. The lab voicemail had the former director’s mobile number on it. He gave me his successor’s mobile number. He gave me a number to call direct. Mayo did not want to request the TURBT tissue. Bizarre.

Natera will send someone this Thursday for a direct draw. So far Mayo has not explained how this went wrong or why. Disappointing. But I am moving on. Hopefully, they can use this as a process improvement opportunity.

So far, not a good experience with Natera. It started off fine. Mayo sent the tissue and showed received on my portal within two days. Within a week, my portal said tissue needed. I found out that they sent the request to my previous urologist who did my TURBT last year. It’s been three weeks and they are still waiting. So, I’m presuming they are not going to get the tissue they need to perform the test. I had my oncologist office try to follow up with the urologist office. I figured it would be more important coming from another doctor. Until a tumor returns, I won’t be able to do the Signatera test.