LIQUID BIOPSY
EXPLAINED
Tumours shed DNA fragments into the bloodstream. Liquid biopsy detects those fragments from a simple blood draw -- making comprehensive genomic profiling possible when tissue is unavailable, and enabling repeat testing at progression without a new invasive procedure.
What Liquid Biopsy Is Used For
Liquid biopsy serves several distinct clinical purposes -- understanding which one is relevant to your situation is what makes the test useful.
Profiling When Tissue Is Insufficient
FDA-approved platforms sequence ctDNA for hundreds of cancer-relevant genes. Clinically validated for treatment-matched therapy identification when tissue is unavailable or too limited for standard NGS.
Resistance Mechanism Identification
When targeted therapy stops working, liquid biopsy often identifies the acquired resistance mutation without requiring a new invasive biopsy of the progressing lesion. T790M identification after first-generation EGFR inhibitors is the canonical example.
Treatment Monitoring
Serial ctDNA measurements during treatment can indicate response or emerging resistance earlier than imaging in some settings. Increasingly used at experienced centres.
Minimal Residual Disease Detection
In colorectal cancer (most developed), ctDNA detected after surgery may identify patients at high recurrence risk before imaging shows anything. Active research area.
Frequently Asked Questions
How CancerFax Helps
CancerFax is a specialist cancer access and patient-navigation platform. We help patients and families understand their options, organise medical records, coordinate hospital communication, and support cross-border treatment planning where appropriate.
We help collect and organise reports, scans, pathology, biomarker results, and treatment history for structured case review.
We communicate with hospitals or trial teams to assess whether a case may be suitable for further screening.
We support appointment coordination, document submission, translation, and direct communication with international departments.
For international patients, we help with practical coordination — travel planning, hospital admission guidance, and local support.
If this option is not suitable, we help explore other relevant treatments, clinical trials, or advanced care pathways.
From inquiry through to follow-up, our coordinators provide a single point of contact for the family.
CancerFax does not guarantee treatment access, eligibility, or clinical outcome. Our role is to help patients access accurate information, structured review, and appropriate specialist pathways.
Questions About Liquid Biopsy for Your Situation?
CancerFax helps patients understand when liquid biopsy is clinically appropriate and what results mean for their treatment decisions.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified oncologist before making treatment decisions.