Genetic Tests

As is known, cancer is a genetic disease, ie, a cell change occurs with gene change, and then the cells are first local and then spread to the blood and lymph vessels. This gene change is sometimes caused by congenital (Hereditary cancers) and sometimes by the influence of risk factors (Acquired-environmental). Genetic changes, which were previously few in number and quantity, are increasing in time chaining. This creates new types of cell groups within the cancer mass and imparts properties such as drug resistance-sensitivity or organ metastasis. The characteristics of genetic changes in the last 20 years can be easily understood by high-yield technologies.

Sequence analysis of all genes was performed in the 1st decade of 2000 with the human genome project. Parallel to this, the type and function of genetic changes in cancer masses or cells have become increasingly well understood and widely included in patient practice for diagnosis and treatment.

Our country is rapidly getting these technologies from developed western countries. The name and importance of genetic determinations made in our oncology unit are listed below:

• BRCA1 mutation screening test: In the definition of familial risk in young patients with breast cancer with a young age and family history.
• K-ras mutation screening test: In the prediction of whether or not anti-EGFR treatment in colon cancer will be achieved and whether EGFR-TKI target therapy drugs will be used in lung cancer.
• EGFR gene mutation screening test: In lung cancer, without the need for chemotherapy to decide on the selection of more effective targeted therapy.

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