liquid biopsy

[azulmsalas]

Hi! I am writing to consult you for genetic testing. When is the best time to do them? I read about liquid biopsies and consulted the oncologist. He told me that it is not appropriate since my Dad has been in treatment since February '20. I am very mistaken when I think that these tests serve to better understand the tumor and to know which treatment is the best fit and thus "not waste time"?

Thank you !

Greetings from the end of the world.

Azul

[Tall_Allen]

Liquid genomic biopsies have a mixed record when compared to a tumor tissue biopsy. The advantage is that it represents what is in all the metastases. The disadvantage is that not all the metastases shed enough DNA, and the shedding seems to vary over time. Tumor tissue biopsies can tell you what is going on in only that biopsy sample, and the situation may be different in different metastases. Another advantage of a tumor tissue biopsy is that you can collect more information than just genomics (genomics are usually unactionable). All of those tests are expensive and your insurance may not agree to pay for multiple tests, so you may want to test later when therapies no longer work, and when there are more likely to be actionable genetic abnormalities.

A cheaper alternative is a germline DNA test. It tests for inherited mutations. The one from Color Genome Dx costs $250, and is good enough that Johns Hopkins using it. It is a saliva test that you do at home and mail in.

prostatecancer.news/2018/02...

[azulmsalas in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks for your answer! Then it's okay to wait. I'm going to have to calm my anxiety.

[j-o-h-n]

Hello Peronista, Your English translation using Googlela is doing just fine. Argentina is not the end of the world more like the end of the Universe. Here' hoping your Father is doing well and that you should calm down a bit. Anxiety will make you sick. Remember prostate cancer is a slow growing disease, so your Dad will be dancing the tango for many many years.

Googlela tranlate

Hola, peronista. Tu traducción al inglés con Googlela está funcionando bien. Argentina no es el fin del mundo más como el fin del universo. Espero que a tu padre le vaya bien y que te calmes un poco. La ansiedad te enfermará. Recuerde que el cáncer de próstata es una enfermedad de crecimiento lento, por lo que su papá estará bailando el tango durante muchos años.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 07/14/2020 7:02 PM DST

[azulmsalas in reply to j-o-h-n]

Hi John ! Nooo ... not all Argentines are Peronists ..! and there is no joke in that!

Thank you for your answer and for the translation!

[Chugach]

I got a liquid biopsy after about 4 years of treatment and it yielded a new and effective therapy option for me with immunotherapy.