How Do We Make Clinical Molecular Testing for Cancer Standard of Care for Pathology Departments?

J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2016 Jun;14(6):787-92. doi: 10.6004/jnccn.2016.0079.

Abstract

Understanding of the genetic basis and molecular pathogenesis of cancer has evolved substantially over the past century. The advent of high-throughput gene sequencing methods has unraveled hundreds of recurrent somatic genetic alterations in various malignancies, either causative or harboring major prognostic and/or predictive implications. Knowledge of these specific changes has dramatically altered diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to cancer, enabling personalized molecular therapies. This article shares approaches to adopting and fine-tuning the practice of molecular diagnostics as an essential component of diagnostic pathology in a tertiary care cancer hospital and proposes methods by which genetic testing in cancer can become standard of care in pathology departments across the nation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pathology Department, Hospital / standards*
  • Prognosis
  • Standard of Care / standards*