diagnosis
What is biomarker testing, and why does it matter so much for lung cancer?
Doctors run tests on lung cancer cells to help choose treatment. Lung cancer has two main types that grow in different ways.
Doctors test lung cancer cells to help choose the best treatment. Lung cancer has two main types, and these types grow and behave differently. Because the types differ, doctors treat each one in a different way. Lab tests can show which type of lung cancer is present. They can also show how far it has spread, a step called staging. Knowing the type and stage helps the care team decide what treatment is needed. For small-cell lung cancer, the care team may test the cancer cells for gene changes. This kind of testing is sometimes called biomarker testing. The results of that testing may help guide treatment choices. Non-small cell lung cancer is the more common type of lung cancer. One treatment option for non-small cell lung cancer is targeted therapy. Targeted therapy uses medicine that attacks specific cancer cells. It causes less harm to normal, healthy cells. In general, treatment depends on the type of lung cancer. It also depends on how far the cancer has spread and a person's overall health. Your care team can explain which tests make sense for your situation.
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