What is NGS testing for cancer?

A newer, alternative strategy called next generation sequencing (NGS) allows clinicians to test many genes of a cancer simultaneously. Next generation sequencing can be performed on material from a patient’s tumor that has been biopsied or surgically removed.

What is personalized cancer treatment?

Personalized cancer therapy is a treatment strategy centered on the ability to predict which patients are more likely to respond to specific cancer therapies. This approach is founded upon the idea that tumor biomarkers are associated with patient prognosis and tumor response to therapy.

What is molecular testing for cancer?

Tumor molecular profiling is generally performed on DNA extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue specimens. Prior to testing, the tissue specimen requires examination by a pathologist to confirm the presence of the tumor and to determine the tumor content in the specimen.

What is oncology testing?

Oncologists must first diagnose a cancer, which is usually carried out via biopsy, endoscopy, X-ray, CT scanning, MRI, PET scanning, ultrasound or other radiological methods. Nuclear medicine can also be used to diagnose cancer, as can blood tests or tumor markers.

Is Next Generation Sequencing FDA approved?

FDA Approves Liquid Biopsy Next-Generation Sequencing Companion Diagnostic Test. On August 26, 2020, the Food and Drug Administration approved the liquid biopsy next-generation sequencing-based FoundationOne Liquid CDx test (Foundation Medicine, Inc.)

Can cancer treatment be Personalised?

Today, you may still have the usual treatment for your type and stage of cancer. But your doctor may personalize it based on information about your genes and the cancer’s genes. This is personalized cancer medicine. Personalized medicine may also be part of a clinical trial.

What is the difference between precision medicine and personalized medicine?

The difference here is that precision medicine seeks to create treatments that are applicable to groups of individuals who meet certain characteristics. This is different from “personalized medicine,” which implies individualized treatments available for every unique patient.

What cancers does BRCA test for?

The BRCA gene test is offered to those who are likely to have an inherited mutation based on personal or family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer. The BRCA gene test isn’t routinely performed on people at average risk of breast and ovarian cancers. The results of genetic testing aren’t always clear.

What are the 3 major areas in the field of oncology?

The field of oncology has 3 major areas based on treatments: medical oncology, radiation oncology, and surgical oncology.