Digital Guide: An Overview of Next-Generation Sequencing

Molecular testing should be part of discussions between you and your healthcare team.

With new knowledge emerging about cancer every day, molecular testing is one of the main ways in which tumor cells are assessed to determine whether patients would benefit from targeted agents.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) remains a relatively expensive test sometimes costing thousands of dollars. However, as the technology continues to advance and indications for use expand, the overall cost continues to decrease.

Liquid biopsy is a blood test that uses molecular profiling to identify a small amount of cancer cells or pieces of cancer cells circulating in your blood stream. It is a test often used when people have advanced or metastatic cancer to better personalize treatment and monitor response to ongoing therapies.

Liquid biopsies test for small pieces of DNA and circulating cells in the bloodstream. Here is why they sometimes can provide false-negative results.