There is an emerging area in cancer care which uses specialized testing to see which chemotherapy agents may be optimal in killing the cancer found in a person’s body. Some laboratories are also using these principles to see which natural or alternative-based agents are most appropriate as well. The idea is to try and customize a treatment to the cancer of each individual person. Each cancer may be unique as each person.
Different types of cancer samples may be used for testing depending on which laboratory is used for a person’s case (i.e. tissue, blood sample). The use of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is an emerging area. Cancer cells may be found floating or circulating in a person’s blood which can be collected and used for testing. In these cases, all that is needed is a simple blood test sample which acts like a “liquid biopsy”. In other cases, the tumuor sample from a surgical sample or tissue biopsy may also be used for testing.
We use laboratories from all over the world to help customize a person’s cancer care program when needed. Different laboratories offer different approaches depending on the case. It is through the expertise of our team that the most appropriate form(s) are testing are used to help give a patient the best chances for success.