How Biomarker Testing May Help You and Your Doctors Make Decisions

This content is from our sponsor. The sponsor has sole editorial control. The Role of Biomarker Testing in Lung Cancer FROM OUR SPONSOR Lung cancer is not one disease Personalized treatments are available for a variety of cancers, but for lung cancer treatment, especially, one size does not fit all. There are several types of lung cancer — about 10 to 15 percent are small cell lung cancer and about 80 to 85 percent are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). What is a biomarker? Just as each of us has a unique personality, so does each tumor — tumors are driven by unique sets of genes that have their own mutations and alterations, often called biomarkers. When doctors identify the unique thumbprint of a tumor, through biomarker testing, also referred to as "molecular testing" or "genetic testing," they can often prescribe medicines that are designed to target those specific traits. A biomarker test can make a difference If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with lung cancer — either recently or years ago — it's important to talk with your doctor about whether biomarker testing may be appropriate to help determine treatment options. In fact, biomarker testing isn't only for the newly diagnosed. For example, advanced or metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive NSCLC can change and evolve over time, and often develops new mutations — especially as it acquires resistances to first-line targeted therapies. Identifying these new, or secondary, mutations can help doctors to determine appropriate management if a current treatment is no longer working. Want to learn more? Hear from lung cancer experts and patients about the importance of testing and how it can help you and your doctor with clinical decisions regarding your treatment. Check out our lung cancer education series which covers various topics, including: how lung cancer can evolve over time, diagnostic tools and the importance of testing, personal stories of lung cancer patients and a breakthrough discovery. US-12144 Last Updated 7/17 If you wish to unsubscribe from our Verywell partner offers, please click here. A DOTDASH BRAND 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10036 © 2017 verywell.com — All rights reserved. Privacy Policy

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