Next-Generation Sequencing: Baltimore/Washington, D.C.
A new wave of testing involving your molecular and genetic makeup is being used to guide treatment decisions. In this section of SurvivorNet, you’ll find cancer experts in the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area, breaking down the significance of this new testing technology. And how results from these tests can help your health care team find better treatment options for you.
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- Next-generation sequencing (NGS), commonly referred to as molecular testing, gathers important genetic and molecular information from your cancer cells.
- This testing can identify mutations or alterations in tumor cells and predict how your cancer may behave, which can help guide treatment.
- Next-generation sequencing (NGS), commonly referred to as molecular testing, gathers important genetic and molecular information from your cancer cells.
- This testing can identify mutations or alterations in tumor cells and predict how your cancer may behave, which can help guide treatment.
Because each cancer is unique, your doctor may suggest using next-generation sequencing (NGS) or molecular testing to better understand your disease and learn how to best tailor treatment to you. When a doctor understands more specifics about your disease, they may be able to use precision medicine that targets specific aspects of your disease.
Precision medicine, or targeted therapy, is changing the game when it comes to cancer treatment.
To better predict which treatments may work best, doctors may test for mutations and/or alternations in your genes that may cause cancer to develop and grow in specific ways. In certain situations, doctors may also test to see if any specific hormones or proteins are driving a cancer’s growth.
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) can be helpful for many common cancers, such as lung, breast, colon, prostate, and more.
Explore more about this comprehensive testing and its uses for the following cancers below:
- The goal of next-generation sequencing (NGS) for lung cancer is to find a tumor’s specific mutations — and target those with treatment.
- Some possible actionable mutations for lung cancer include EGFR, ALK, ROS1, BRAF, KRAS, and others.
Lung Cancer
- The goal of next-generation sequencing (NGS) for lung cancer is to find a tumor’s specific mutations — and target those with treatment.
- Some possible actionable mutations for lung cancer include EGFR, ALK, ROS1, BRAF, KRAS, and others.
Molecular Testing's Role in Lung Cancer Treatment
- Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is always considered in the work up of breast cancer, particularly when it is advanced or metastatic disease.
- Molecular testing is often done alongside genetic testing, as well as testing levels of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), HER2 and Ki67.
Breast Cancer
- Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is always considered in the work up of breast cancer, particularly when it is advanced or metastatic disease.
- Molecular testing is often done alongside genetic testing, as well as testing levels of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), HER2 and Ki67.
- Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is generally recommended for metastatic prostate cancer.
- Genetic or germline testing is also considered very important in both early and advanced stages of prostate cancer but is most commonly used in men with advanced disease.
Prostate Cancer
- Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is generally recommended for metastatic prostate cancer.
- Genetic or germline testing is also considered very important in both early and advanced stages of prostate cancer but is most commonly used in men with advanced disease.
- Next-generation sequencing (NGS) can help identify genetic syndromes in colon cancer.
- The most significant actionable mutation is Lynch syndrome, which responds well to immunotherapy.
Colon Cancer
- Next-generation sequencing (NGS) can help identify genetic syndromes in colon cancer.
- The most significant actionable mutation is Lynch syndrome, which responds well to immunotherapy.
