Tumor profiling (tumour genomic profiling) explained
What tumor profiling is, how tissue and liquid biopsy (ctDNA) differ, what 'panel size' means, and which questions to ask your oncologist.
Clinical review: pending · General information, not medical advice
What is tumor profiling?
Tumor profiling looks at the DNA of a tumour to describe its molecular features. These features are called somatic changes because they arise in the tumour rather than being inherited.
Tissue and liquid biopsy
Tissue testing uses a sample of the tumour itself. Liquid biopsy looks for tumour DNA circulating in a blood sample (ctDNA). A doctor may consider liquid biopsy when tissue is limited, hard to obtain, or when repeat sampling is needed. Each approach has strengths and limits, and neither is right for every patient.
Small panels and broad panels
A targeted panel looks at a defined set of genes chosen for a specific question. A comprehensive panel covers many more genes. A larger panel is not automatically better; the right choice depends on the cancer type, the clinical question and the sample available.
Limits worth knowing
Results depend on sample quality and how much tumour is in the sample. A test can return no finding that changes management, or a variant whose significance is uncertain. These are normal outcomes, not failures.
Questions to ask your oncologist
Is molecular testing recommended for my type of cancer? Which kind of test, and why? What sample is needed? How could the result change the discussion about my care?
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