Blood Test May One Day Predict Breast Cancer Relapse
Blood Test May One Day Predict Breast Cancer Relapse
Circulating tumor DNA analysis spots stray cells months before scans detect recurrence, researchers say
Dr. Tilak Sundaresan, an oncologist with Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center in Boston, who co-authored a commentary published with the report, said circulating tumor DNA analysis shows promise for the early detection of breast cancer recurrence in women who were treated for early stage disease.
By detecting small amounts of cancer before they spread more widely, it "offers a window of opportunity to treat the cancer while it is still theoretically curable," said Sundaresan.
Furthermore, because circulating tumor DNA provides a genetic snapshot of the growing cancer cells, it may give doctors the opportunity to design a more personalized approach to the treatments, he suggested.
"It remains to be seen, however, whether our ability to detect this harbinger of the cancer's return so early will allow us to choose more effective and timely therapies to improve the chance of women with breast cancer living longer," Sundaresan said.
Blood Test May Predict Breast Cancer Relapse
Circulating tumor DNA analysis spots stray cells months before scans detect recurrence, researchers say
Dr. Tilak Sundaresan, an oncologist with Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center in Boston, who co-authored a commentary published with the report, said circulating tumor DNA analysis shows promise for the early detection of breast cancer recurrence in women who were treated for early stage disease.
By detecting small amounts of cancer before they spread more widely, it "offers a window of opportunity to treat the cancer while it is still theoretically curable," said Sundaresan.
Furthermore, because circulating tumor DNA provides a genetic snapshot of the growing cancer cells, it may give doctors the opportunity to design a more personalized approach to the treatments, he suggested.
"It remains to be seen, however, whether our ability to detect this harbinger of the cancer's return so early will allow us to choose more effective and timely therapies to improve the chance of women with breast cancer living longer," Sundaresan said.
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