{"title":"Get the right tumor testing","summary":"Know what was tested, what was missed, and whether another test could change the plan.","body":"## 1. Get the actual report\n\n“Genetic testing” is not specific enough. Get the lab name, test name, sample date and full report. Ask whether it tested the tumor, your inherited DNA, or both.\n\nTumor profiling looks for features that may help guide treatment. Inherited-risk testing looks for changes you were born with. Some tests compare tumor and normal samples; many do not.\n\n## 2. Ask what the test covers\n\nBring these questions to your oncologist:\n\n1. Does it cover the biomarkers recommended for **my cancer type**?\n2. Does it look at DNA, RNA, proteins or a combination? Which matter here?\n3. Was there enough usable sample to get a reliable result?\n4. Were any results unclear, and do we need to follow them up?\n\nFor my ALK-positive lung cancer, the specific driver matters enormously. Your useful markers may be different. Do not copy another patient’s testing order.\n\n## 3. Choose the next test around a decision\n\nAsk: **“If this result comes back positive, negative or inconclusive, what would we do differently?”**\n\nA targeted panel, a broader panel, whole-exome sequencing and whole-genome sequencing are different tools. More data does not guarantee another treatment. A finding may have no known clinical use or point to a trial you cannot join.\n\nBlood testing can be useful when tissue is difficult to obtain. Ask what a negative result means and whether tissue testing is still needed. If the cancer changes or a treatment stops working, ask whether an older test still answers the current question.\n\n## 4. Confirm cost, tissue and timing\n\n1. Have the team check what tissue already exists before arranging another procedure.\n2. Confirm the expected patient cost, insurance authorization and financial assistance.\n3. Find out when results should arrive and who will review them with you.\n4. Ask whether treatment should begin while testing is pending. Do not delay urgent care on your own.\n\n[Guardant](/companies/guardant-health/), [Inocras](/companies/inocras/) and [Valius](/companies/valius-sciences/) offer different kinds of profiling. Compare the actual test and the question it answers, not just the company name.","topics":["tumor-testing"],"capabilities":[],"sources":[{"id":"nci-testing","label":"Biomarker testing for cancer treatment","url":"https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/biomarker-testing-cancer-treatment","publisher":"National Cancer Institute","checkedAt":"2026-10-22","supports":"Testing types, treatment relevance, limitations, coverage and repeat testing.","type":"official"},{"id":"x-2112617840498917744","label":"My questions about comprehensive profiling","url":"https://x.com/kevinace/status/2112617840498917744","publisher":"Kevin Wimer on X","checkedAt":"2026-10-22","supports":"Personal experience, read in Kevin’s supplied X export. Not independent clinical evidence.","type":"experience"},{"id":"x-2112376055109386321","label":"My experience with tissue and blood testing","url":"https://x.com/kevinace/status/2112376055109386321","publisher":"Kevin Wimer on X","checkedAt":"2026-10-22","supports":"Personal experience, read in Kevin’s supplied X export. Not independent clinical evidence.","type":"experience"}],"applicability":"For patients and caregivers preparing questions with their cancer care team.","limitations":"Educational information from a patient’s perspective. Your care team needs to assess your situation.","disclosure":{"type":"none","text":"No paid placement. I have no investment, advisory role, paid partnership or other financial relationship with the twelve companies in this initial directory."},"reviewedAt":"2026-10-22","relatedIds":["eedb734b-9696-4e66-bf29-5c63cbf6a3ba","3340ac28-f483-4a86-bcaf-d2034338f17b","f2e7ed16-4c04-42d2-b7ba-4d28d08e2b53","af18cbc9-1c7f-4799-a763-3f53ba52b1fd","892119f9-0439-4e43-b467-66c99bc7be7c"],"assetIds":["d49a92ed-e6c5-466f-833b-06e8d7b11b56","789f4131-9bad-43c1-9989-11ef350605bd"],"xDiscussion":"https://x.com/kevinace/status/2112617840498917744","relatedX":[],"facts":[],"id":"f7221927-6b87-4be3-9a7c-906768a192a5","kind":"resource","slug":"tumor-testing","revision":"1b88d229-81c9-46e5-8c28-3a7d6553c0f3","canonicalUrl":"https://kevinwimer.com/resources/tumor-testing/","publishedAt":"2026-10-23T00:00:15.301Z","updatedAt":"2026-10-23T00:00:15.301Z","previewOnly":false,"illustrationAssetId":"d49a92ed-e6c5-466f-833b-06e8d7b11b56","shareImageAssetId":"789f4131-9bad-43c1-9989-11ef350605bd"}