A liquid biopsy is a non-invasive test that analyzes a blood or other bodily fluid sample for cancer signs, such as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and cells (CTCs). It is used to detect early-stage cancer, help plan treatment, monitor how well treatment is working, and check if cancer has returned. This is an alternative to invasive surgical biopsies, though some disadvantages exist, such as needing a tissue biopsy for a definitive diagnosis and the high cost of some advanced tests.
How it works
Tumors shed components, such as DNA and cells, into the bloodstream or other body fluids.
A liquid biopsy test collects a blood or other fluid sample and analyzes it for these tumor-derived entities.
This allows doctors to detect and analyze genetic and molecular changes in the tumor without a surgical procedure.