Molecular Testing—Understanding Your Unique Cancer

Molecular tests analyze a cancer’s tumor cells to look for genomic changes known to be important to cancer. Such testing is done with sophisticated laboratory methods that can rapidly capture and analyze large amounts of genomic information.

Every cancer has a molecular subtype

Analysis of these cancer-related genes by molecular testing is used to classify a cancer into a molecular subtype. Different people respond very differently to cancer therapies based on the molecular subtype of their cancer. A specific subtype may contain a somatic alteration that can be attacked by a certain drug.

If you have cancer, molecular testing may open up new treatment options

Many targeted therapies are available or under development that treat cancer based on its specific subtype rather than its general classification, typically based on where it originates in the body.

Molecular testing is important because it can help you and your physician decide how to best treat your cancer in a way that may be tailored to you.