Precision oncology is a personalised approach to cancer care. It uses information about your cancer, including its genetic and molecular changes. This helps doctors understand how the tumour may respond to different treatments.
At CMRI Hospital, Kolkata, our oncology team reviews your medical history, test reports and, when needed, molecular or genetic test results. Based on these findings, your treatment may include targeted therapy, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery.
Precision oncology is an approach to cancer treatment that looks at the specific features of a tumour. It may study changes in genes, proteins and other molecules in cancer cells. This information helps doctors understand how a particular cancer may grow and respond to treatment.
Cancer treatment usually considers the type and stage of cancer. Precision oncology adds more information by looking at the changes that make a tumour different. This gives doctors additional information when planning your care.
Precision oncology allows doctors to use more information about a tumour when planning treatment. Some cancer cells have genetic changes that help them grow or spread. If testing finds a change that can be targeted by an available medicine, your oncologist may consider targeted therapy.
Certain biomarkers may also help doctors identify patients who could benefit from specific immunotherapies.
Precision oncology does not mean that every patient needs a different treatment. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy may still be part of your cancer care. Test results provide additional information that can help your doctor decide which options may be suitable for you.
Molecular and genomic tests look for specific changes in cancer cells. These tests may look for changes in genes, proteins or other biomarkers. The results can give doctors more information about the tumour and which treatments may be suitable.
A tumour sample collected during a biopsy or surgery may be used for testing. In some cases, a blood sample may also be used. The test depends on your cancer and the information your doctor needs.
Genomic testing looks at genetic changes in cancer cells. It can identify changes that may be linked to how the cancer grows or responds to certain treatments. Molecular testing may also look for specific proteins or other biomarkers that can help guide treatment decisions.
Your doctor may consider several factors along with the test results, such as:
The test result is only one part of treatment planning. Your oncologist will consider the result along with your cancer type, stage, treatment history and overall health. This helps determine whether targeted therapy, immunotherapy or another option may be suitable for you.
Precision oncology is not needed for every person with cancer. Your oncologist may recommend molecular or biomarker testing when it can provide useful information for your treatment.
Testing may be considered for some advanced or recurrent cancers. It may also be used when cancer has spread or returned after treatment. In some cancers, specific biomarkers can help doctors choose a suitable treatment.
Precision oncology may be considered for cancers such as:
The need for testing depends on your cancer and overall health. Your doctor may also consider the stage of your cancer and previous treatments. Having cancer does not always mean that genomic or biomarker testing is needed. Your oncologist will recommend testing based on your cancer type, stage and treatment needs.
Precision oncology tests can identify specific genetic changes or biomarkers in cancer cells. These results give doctors more information about the tumour. They can also help doctors decide which treatments may be suitable.
If testing finds a genetic change that can be targeted by an available medicine, your oncologist may consider targeted therapy. These medicines are designed to act on specific changes in cancer cells.
Tests can also look for biomarkers that may show whether a cancer is likely to respond to certain immunotherapy medicines. For example, doctors may check biomarkers such as PD-L1 or MSI/MMR status, depending on the type of cancer.
The test result is not used on its own. Your doctor may also consider:
Not every genetic change or biomarker has a treatment that can be used. A biomarker result also does not guarantee that a treatment will work. Your oncologist will consider all the available information before choosing the next step in your treatment.
At the CK Birla Hospitals, Kolkata, our oncology team follows a personalised approach to cancer care. We consider your cancer type, stage, test results and treatment history when planning your care. Our approach to precision oncology includes:
The goal of precision oncology is to use information about your cancer to help guide treatment decisions. Our team recommends molecular or biomarker testing when it may provide useful information for your care.
No. Precision oncology is not needed for every cancer patient. Your oncologist may recommend molecular or biomarker testing when the results could help guide treatment. It is often considered in advanced, recurrent or certain specific cancers.
Molecular testing for cancer looks for specific changes in genes, proteins or other substances in cancer cells. These results may help doctors understand the tumour and identify treatments that may be suitable.
Genomic profiling is a type of testing that looks at the genetic changes in a tumour. It may identify mutations or other changes that can help doctors understand the cancer and consider certain targeted treatments.
No. Finding a mutation does not always mean that a targeted treatment is available. Some changes do not have a known treatment, while others may only be relevant to a clinical trial or need more research.
It may be useful in some cases. If cancer has progressed after treatment, molecular or biomarker testing may identify changes that could help guide another treatment option. Your oncologist will decide whether testing is appropriate for your cancer.
It may help some patients with rare or advanced cancers. Molecular testing can sometimes identify a biomarker that is linked to a treatment, even when that treatment is not based only on where the cancer started. However, a suitable treatment is not guaranteed.
© 2024 CMRI Kolkata. All Rights Reserved.
