Understanding your cancer starts with understanding its biology.
Comprehensive diagnostics can help provide that insight.
Why Testing Maters
Right now, we know more than ever about cancer and are rapidly learning more every day. We’d like to share with you a recent innovation in diagnostic testing called comprehensive genomic profiling that provides a deeper insight into a tumor’s genomic signature.
What Is Comprehensive Genomic Profiling?
Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) is an advanced form of molecular testing performed on tumor tissue or bone marrow. It analyzes many cancer-related genes at once to identify the specific genetic changes driving an individual’s cancer.
Rather than treating cancer based only on where it started in the body, CGP helps uncover the tumor’s unique biology—information that can guide more personalized care decisions.
What Is a Liquid Biopsy?
A liquid biopsy is a blood test that looks for small fragments of genetic material released by a tumor into the bloodstream or cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). These fragments—often called circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) or RNA—can provide important information about the biology of a cancer without the need for an invasive tissue biopsy.
Liquid biopsies may be used:
- When tissue samples are limited or difficult to obtain
- To help guide treatment decisions
- To monitor how a tumor changes over time and responds to treatment
Why Comprehensive Testing Matters
Not all tumors are the same. Two patients with the same diagnosis can have very different molecular drivers behind their cancer. Comprehensive genomic testing looks across many genes and pathways to identify changes that may:
- Help explain how the tumor is growing
- Reveal potential treatment options
- Identify resistance mechanisms that affect therapy response
Limited testing may miss important signals. Broader, more comprehensive approaches increase the chance of finding clinically meaningful information.
The Emerging Importance of RNA
Traditionally, cancer testing has focused on looking at DNA—the genetic blueprint of a cell. While DNA is important, it doesn’t always tell the full story.
RNA helps show how those genes are being used inside the cancer cells. It provides a more real-time picture of how the tumor is functioning.
RNA can:
- Find important changes—such as gene combinations (called fusions) or altered gene messages
- Show which genes are actively driving the tumor
- Identify emerging RNA-based drug targets, an area of rapid growth in cancer therapy
As more treatments are developed to target RNA-driven changes, testing that includes RNA becomes increasingly important for understanding all available options.
Talking With Your Physician About Testing Options
If you are considering molecular testing, you may want to ask your physician:
- What types of genomic testing are appropriate for my tumor?
- Does my testing include both DNA and RNA analysis?
- Would a liquid biopsy be helpful in my situation?
- How might the results influence my treatment options now or in the future?
Shared decision-making is important. Understanding your testing options can help you and your physician choose an approach aligned with your diagnosis, treatment goals, and overall care plan.
If your physician wants to order a GTC test they can call us for more information at