Has anyone had experience with having a Liquid Biopsy done? It is a blood test that can identify cells in the body which may show cancer, then enabling doctors to target therapies that can help. It’s recently been approved by FDA, so insurance can pay.
I just had this done at Stanford Hospital (California) and am awaiting results.
Yes, I had it done (ctDNA) in November after radiation in September. It showed nothing. Then, a few weeks later, I had a scan. I had cancer in a lung nodule, and nothing where I got radiation. My doctor says it’s not accurate enough yet.
But the cfDNA is a good baseline according to my doctor.
I keep track of my cancer antigens every time my oncologist orders blood work. The normal level for CA 15-3 in Canada is said to be 0 to 30. I'm checking to see whether my cancer meds continue to keep my level of CA 15-3 within this normal range.
As soon as my CA 15-3 level rises above this range, it is time to change/increase my meds. In my case, my breast cancer has already metastasized throughout my body so meds can only keep it from growing rather than eliminating it.
Yes, I’ve had it twice. The first one showed no mutations. That was in 2020. I had the second one in September of 2023. I developed the ESR1 mutation and am now on Orserdu.
Yes, I had one last year because I couldn’t have a peritoneal biopsy. It is very accurate and they were able to treat my existing lobular carcinoma. I’m surprised this isn’t done more often. The blood shows everything.
So interesting! I hsvevlobular also in peritoneal cavity. What did you learn from the blood test? Mutations? Or was a count of circulating tumor cells. How did the answer affect your treatment- if you don’t mind sharing.
i have completed a year of ctDNA blood work via Signatera. all four quarterly results were "0.00." i started year two of blood work on 31 January and awaiting the results. may your results be optimal.
Yes, I also had the Guardant 360 which showed no mutations. Nothing changed for me.
People are responding all kinds of ways, assuming you had different tests. One assumes that you just had tumor marker tests, not blood biopsy. It sounds like you had what I had (Foundation One) or Guardant 360. These don't show where the cancer is but shows mutations. The type of mutation may then dictate a treatment. If you have the ESR1 mutation, then your cancer cells are endocrine resistant and there are other treatments. It will also show the type, and that can dictate treatment.
I had mutations for which there is no known treatment. Bad luck. So did another person on here who is posting about whether she should go on oral chemo, as her doctor recommends.
So it can be really helpful -- or not.
Well, I had the Foundation One Test on Friday. Results won’t be back for at least another week, maybe two. In addition, I got the PET/CT Scan done last Friday also and the Oncologist called this morning with those results. The Breast Cancer has metastasized to my bones. I will now have a Total Body Bone Scan, followed by a biopsy if deemed safe. The wheels are moving swiftly now.
Really? Where did you have cancer before? I have heard of spread from the bones to organs or soft tissue, not the other way around.
I get PET/CTs and never get bone scans. The PET/CT seems to be sufficient to show clearly which bones and how much. I don't understand why you would need another biopsy, either. The Foundation One seems to do the job. Of course, I am not an oncologist and you are going to a good place -- but so am I, with second opinions at MSK.
It is a little unnerving when we get such different treatment. Of course, we all respond differently, but that is different from excellent docs recommending different courses of treatment.
Hi Tammy - I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in February of 2020, just as Covid reared its ugly head! We live in rural Humboldt County, Ca and our medical care up here is poor. I had a Lumpectomy and then radiation. I had my regular doctor refer me to Stanford in November of 2023, when the CA 27.29 number was continuing to rise. So glad I did. The Bone Scan next week is to see if the two lesions - discovered on the PET/CT Scan done last week - might be worth getting a biopsy. I had a previous PET/CT Scan three months ago that showed nothing. As we know, Invasive Lobular is tricky.
Right, lobular is evasive, and does require more investigating.
Hi Tammy, I just had a second opinion visit at UCSF and the breast onco told me that the most reliable test for her2 low is via the tissue biopsy using IHC stain. (My biopsy report from initial diagnosis didn’t show that test so they are going to follow up.) She also suggested another Guardant 360 test to check on any new mutations.
I just had one done awaiting results too at m d anderson-they said three weeks it takes. Let me know how it goes and I’ll let you know too.
Yes, let’s keep in touch!
Lungs biopsy
Bone biopsy 
Liver Biopsy - (cont)
RE: anxiety about needle biopsy of lung
