You can think of your DNA like words in a book. When something goes wrong, the words can have typos which leads to the words in the book meaning something different. In the case of lung cancer, these changes to the “words” can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and cancer. Some lung cancer treatments can "target" these changes directly. These lung cancer treatments often cause fewer side effects because they focus on targeting what is exactly wrong with the cancer cell, instead of killing normal, healthy cells too.
Key Facts
- Biomarker testing looks for mutations, additions, deletions, or rearrangements in DNA.
- Biomarker testing can also help look for other key markers like levels of certain proteins or the amount of tumor DNA in the blood.
- Knowing this information can help influence treatment options.
Experts Explain Biomarker Testing
What You Need to Know About Biomarker Testing
Types of Lung Cancer Biomarkers
Lung cancer research can move at a rapid pace. Always speak with your doctor about the most up-to-date treatment guidelines.
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Caring About Your Loved One with Lung Cancer Means Caring About Biomarker Testing
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Page last updated: October 2, 2024