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AFP-L3 Test: Liver Cancer Risk, AFP Fraction, HCC Monitoring, and Result Meaning

AFP-L3 testing measures the AFP-L3 fraction linked with hepatocellular carcinoma risk. Learn what high AFP-L3% means, common cutoffs, limitations, and next steps.

The AFP-L3 test measures a specific form of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) that is more closely associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common primary liver...

BRAF V600E Test for Colon Cancer: Mutation Status, Prognosis, and Lynch Syndrome Workup

BRAF V600E testing in colon cancer helps guide prognosis, targeted therapy, and MLH1-deficient Lynch syndrome workup. Learn what positive and negative results mean.

The BRAF V600E test looks for a specific activating mutation in the BRAF gene that is clinically important in colorectal cancer. In metastatic disease,...

BRCA1 and BRCA2 Test for Pancreatic Cancer: Hereditary Risk, DNA Repair, and Variant Meaning

BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing in pancreatic cancer can reveal hereditary risk and DNA-repair targets. Learn germline vs somatic results, VUS meaning, treatment impact, and family testing.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing in pancreatic cancer looks for changes in DNA-repair genes that can matter for both inherited cancer risk and treatment selection....

CA 19-9 Test for Pancreatic Cancer: High Levels, Monitoring, and Bile Duct Causes

CA 19-9 is the main blood marker used to monitor pancreatic cancer. Learn what high levels mean, how bile duct obstruction affects results, normal cutoffs, and follow-up steps.

CA 19-9 is the blood tumor marker used most often in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, but its biggest value is monitoring a known cancer, not...

CEA Test for Colon Cancer: High Levels, Monitoring, Recurrence, and Benign Causes

CEA helps monitor colon cancer and may signal recurrence, but benign conditions can also raise it. Learn typical ranges, false-positive causes, surveillance use, and next steps.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is the blood tumor marker used most often to monitor colon cancer after diagnosis and treatment. It is especially useful when...

CEA Test for Pancreatic Cancer: Tumor Marker Levels, Monitoring, and Result Meaning

CEA can rise in pancreatic cancer but is usually a secondary marker to CA 19-9. Learn typical CEA ranges, benign causes, monitoring uses, limitations, and next steps.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a blood tumor marker that can rise in pancreatic cancer, but it is not the primary serum marker for this...

Cholangiocarcinoma Biomarker Panel: CA 19-9, FGFR2, IDH1, IDH2, and Molecular Profile

A cholangiocarcinoma biomarker panel combines CA 19-9 with FGFR2, IDH1/2, BRAF, HER2, MSI/MMR, and other molecular tests to guide monitoring and targeted treatment.

A cholangiocarcinoma biomarker panel combines a serum marker such as CA 19-9 with tumor molecular testing that can uncover actionable alterations. The distinction is...

CLDN18.2 Test for Gastric Cancer: Claudin 18.2 Expression Score and Tumor Marker Meaning

CLDN18.2 testing uses gastric cancer tissue to measure claudin 18.2 expression. Learn the ≥75% positivity threshold, IHC scoring, treatment meaning, and key limitations.

The CLDN18.2 test is a tumor-tissue immunohistochemistry test used to identify gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinomas that express enough claudin 18.2 to qualify for...

Colorectal Cancer Biomarker Panel: KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, MSI, CEA, and Molecular Testing

A colorectal cancer biomarker panel combines KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, MSI/MMR, CEA, and expanded molecular tests to guide targeted therapy, immunotherapy, hereditary workup, and monitoring.

A colorectal cancer biomarker panel combines tumor and blood tests that answer different clinical questions: Which treatments are likely to work, could the cancer...

Des-Gamma-Carboxy Prothrombin (DCP) Test: Liver Cancer Marker, HCC Monitoring, and Meaning

DCP, also called PIVKA-II, is a liver cancer biomarker that can rise in HCC or vitamin K-related conditions. Learn cutoffs, false positives, monitoring uses, and next steps.

Des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) is a blood biomarker used to assess hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common primary liver cancer. DCP is also called protein...

EBV Test for Gastric Cancer: Epstein-Barr Virus Tumor Marker and Molecular Subtype

EBER in situ hybridization identifies EBV-associated gastric cancer. Learn what positive and negative results mean, why blood EBV tests differ, and how EBV fits with gastric biomarkers.

The EBV test used to classify gastric cancer is usually EBER in situ hybridization (EBER-ISH) performed on tumor tissue. It detects abundant Epstein-Barr virus-encoded...

FGFR2 Fusion Test for Cholangiocarcinoma: Gene Fusion, Positive Result, and Molecular Meaning

FGFR2 fusion testing identifies actionable rearrangements in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Learn positive-result meaning, RNA vs DNA testing, targeted therapy, and resistance.

An FGFR2 fusion test looks for rearrangements that join the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 gene to another gene and create an abnormally active...

Gastric Cancer Biomarker Panel: HER2, PD-L1, MSI, CLDN18.2, EBV, and Molecular Profile

Understand Gastric Cancer Biomarker Panel HER2, PD-L1, MSI, CLDN18.2, EBV, and Molecular Profile: what the test measures, how results are interpreted, treatment implications, limitations, and practical next steps.

A modern gastric cancer biomarker panel can directly shape first-line and later treatment. The most clinically established markers include HER2, PD-L1, microsatellite instability or...

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) Biomarker Panel: KIT, PDGFRA, DOG1, and Tumor Diagnosis

Understand Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) Biomarker Panel KIT, PDGFRA, DOG1, and Tumor Diagnosis: what the test measures, how results are interpreted, treatment implications, limitations, and practical next steps.

GIST diagnosis combines tumor appearance under the microscope with immunohistochemistry and mutation testing. KIT (CD117) and DOG1 are the most useful immunostains for confirming...

GI Cancer Biomarker Panel: CEA, CA 19-9, MSI, KRAS, BRAF, HER2, and Tumor Profile

Understand GI Cancer Biomarker Panel CEA, CA 19-9, MSI, KRAS, BRAF, HER2, and Tumor Profile: what the test measures, how results are interpreted, treatment implications, limitations, and practical next steps.

A GI cancer biomarker panel is not one universal blood test. It is a group of blood, pathology, and molecular tests selected according to...

Guardant Reveal Test: Colorectal Cancer ctDNA MRD and Recurrence Monitoring

Understand Guardant Reveal Test Colorectal Cancer ctDNA MRD and Recurrence Monitoring: what the test measures, how results are interpreted, treatment implications, limitations, and practical next steps.

Guardant Reveal is a blood-based circulating tumor DNA test designed to detect molecular residual disease after treatment for colorectal cancer. Unlike tumor-informed assays that...

HER2 Test for Colon Cancer: HER2 Expression, Amplification, and Tumor Marker Meaning

Understand HER2 Test for Colon Cancer HER2 Expression, Amplification, and Tumor Marker Meaning: what the test measures, how results are interpreted, treatment implications, limitations, and practical next steps.

HER2 testing in colorectal cancer looks for abnormal ERBB2/HER2 activation, usually through strong protein expression and/or gene amplification. It is most relevant in metastatic...

HER2 Test for Gastric Cancer: HER2 Expression, IHC/FISH Status, and Amplification

Understand HER2 Test for Gastric Cancer HER2 Expression, IHC/FISH Status, and Amplification: what the test measures, how results are interpreted, treatment implications, limitations, and practical next steps.

HER2 testing in gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma determines whether the tumor overexpresses HER2 protein or has ERBB2 gene amplification strongly enough to qualify...

IDH1 and IDH2 Test for Cholangiocarcinoma: Mutation Status and Molecular Meaning

Understand IDH1 and IDH2 Test for Cholangiocarcinoma Mutation Status and Molecular Meaning: what the test measures, how results are interpreted, treatment implications, limitations, and practical next steps.

IDH1 and IDH2 testing in cholangiocarcinoma looks for mutations that reprogram cell metabolism and can define a targetable molecular subtype. The alterations are concentrated...

KRAS Test for Colon Cancer: Mutation Status, Anti-EGFR Resistance Marker, and Meaning

Understand KRAS Test for Colon Cancer Mutation Status, Anti-EGFR Resistance Marker, and Meaning: what the test measures, how results are interpreted, treatment implications, limitations, and practical next steps.

KRAS testing in colorectal cancer determines whether the tumor carries an activating RAS-pathway mutation that predicts resistance to standard anti-EGFR antibodies. The clinically relevant...