A biopsy is the removal of a tissue sample from the tumor or affected organ. This sample is used to examine the cancer cells more closely and to make an accurate diagnosis.

A blood test involves taking a sample of your blood to identify circulating cancer cells or genetic changes. This is especially important for blood cancers such as leukemia.

Molecular diagnostics examine the genetic and molecular properties of your cancer cells. This allows mutations and specific markers to be identified, enabling personalized therapy.

Next-generation sequencing is an advanced method for examining DNA or RNA. It allows us to discover genetic changes in tumor cells that are important for selecting the right therapy.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a technique that replicates specific sections of DNA to detect mutations or other genetic changes that may be present in your cancer cells.

FISH is a method to identify genetic changes in tumor cells. It is used to search for specific genetic changes such as translocations or deletions.

A mutation is a change in the genetic code that can affect the behavior of a cell. In cancer cells, certain mutations promote tumor growth or affect the effectiveness of therapies.

An oncogene is a mutated gene that promotes the growth and division of cancer cells. The discovery of such genes can provide important clues for targeted therapy.

A tumor suppressor gene is a gene that controls cell growth. If this gene is mutated, cancer growth can become uncontrolled. Analysis of these genes helps in therapy planning.

Microsatellite instability describes genetic instabilities that often occur in tumors. Tumors with high MSI often respond well to immunotherapies.

Tumor mutation burden measures the number of mutations in a tumor. A high TMB may indicate a good response rate to immunotherapies.

A gene fusion occurs when parts of two genes merge together. This change can affect cancer growth and is used as a target for certain drugs.

HRD describes the inability of cells to properly repair certain DNA damage. This disorder often occurs in tumors with BRCA1/2 mutations. Cancer cells with HRD are particularly vulnerable to therapies that increase DNA damage, such as PARP inhibitors.

Chemotherapy is a treatment with drugs that attack and destroy cancer cells. It is a common standard therapy for many types of cancer and acts on rapidly dividing cells.

Targeted therapy is directed at specific genetic or molecular changes in the cancer cells. These treatments specifically attack the weak points of the tumor cells and are often more effective than general therapies.

Immunotherapy activates the immune system to specifically fight cancer cells. It is particularly effective in tumors with certain biomarkers, such as PD-L1 expression.

PD-L1 is a protein produced by cancer cells that allows them to hide from the immune system. Therapies that target PD-L1 can boost the immune system and attack the tumor cells.

CAR-T cell therapy is a special immunotherapy in which the patient's T cells are genetically modified to recognize and destroy cancer cells. It is used primarily for blood cancers such as leukemia.

Radiotherapy uses high-energy radiation to specifically destroy cancer cells or slow their growth. It can be used alone or in combination with other therapies.

An in vitro test looks at how tumor cells respond to different treatments in the laboratory. This helps determine the most effective therapies for your specific tumor.

Resistance describes the ability of cancer cells to resist treatment. Our tests allow us to find out early on whether your tumor is resistant to certain therapies.

Biomarkers are measurable characteristics that provide information about the biological activity of a tumor. They help choose the best therapy for your tumor, such as immunotherapy or targeted therapies.

Therapy evaluation tests the sensitivity of your tumor to different treatments. This can determine which therapy is best for your tumor.

Precision medicine is an approach that tailors treatments based on the individual genetic characteristics of your tumor. This increases the likelihood of successful therapy.

Hematological malignancies are cancers of the blood system, such as leukemia or lymphoma. These are often diagnosed and treated using molecular tests.

Metastasis is the process by which cancer cells migrate from the original tumor to other parts of the body and form new tumors.

Tumor markers are substances detected in the blood or tissue that indicate the presence of cancer. They are used for diagnosis and to monitor treatment.

PARP inhibitors are drugs that block the activity of the PARP enzyme. This enzyme helps cancer cells repair DNA damage. When PARP is blocked, the cancer cells cannot regenerate properly and die, especially in tumors with BRCA mutations or HRD, because these cells already have difficulty repairing DNA damage.

Gene fusions occur when two different genes merge together to form an abnormal fusion protein. These fusions can promote cancer growth. In lung cancer, for example, ALK and ROS1 gene fusions are common and can be treated with special drugs (ALK or ROS1 inhibitors).

EGFR is a gene that encodes a protein that regulates the growth and division of cells. Mutations in the EGFR gene can occur in certain types of cancer, such as lung cancer, and promote the uncontrolled growth of cancer cells. EGFR mutations are often targeted by specific drugs (called EGFR inhibitors) that block the activity of this protein.

KRAS is a gene responsible for a protein that transmits signals for cell growth. Mutations in KRAS are common in various types of cancer, such as colon cancer and lung cancer. These mutations lead to permanent activation of the KRAS protein, which promotes the uncontrolled growth of cancer cells. KRAS mutations are difficult to treat, but there are now targeted therapies for certain subtypes of these mutations.

BRAF is a gene that encodes a protein involved in cell division. Mutations in the BRAF gene, such as the common BRAF V600E mutation, often occur in melanomas and other types of cancer. They lead to increased cell division and thus tumor growth. Drugs that specifically target BRAF mutations (BRAF inhibitors) can slow or stop tumor growth.

JAK2 is a gene that is responsible for signal transmission in cells. Mutations in the JAK2 gene are common in certain blood cancers, such as polycythemia vera or myelofibrosis. These mutations lead to abnormal activation of the protein, which promotes the growth of cancer cells in the blood. There are targeted therapies that can block JAK2 and control tumor growth.

Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase, or ALK, is a gene that, in its normal form, plays a role in cell division in certain cell types. Mutations or fusions in the ALK gene are found in some types of lung cancer. Patients with these changes often respond well to ALK inhibitors, which block the activity of the ALK protein and inhibit tumor growth.

The ROS1 gene can fuse with other genes in certain types of cancer, such as non-small cell lung cancer, leading to uncontrolled cell growth. These fusions can be treated with targeted therapies (ROS1 inhibitors) that inhibit the function of the fusion protein.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes responsible for repairing DNA damage. Mutations in these genes increase the risk of certain types of cancer, particularly breast and ovarian cancer. Patients with BRCA1/2 mutations often benefit from special therapies, such as PARP inhibitors, which specifically block the DNA repair mechanisms in cancer cells.