Next-Generation Sequencing for Solid Tumors Diagnostics: Current Practice and New Developments
The role of molecular and genomic analysis in the diagnostic work-up of solid tumors continues to expand, with dramatic implications for clinicians, pathologists, and patients. With the recent surge of next-generation sequencing (NGS) adoption into clinical diagnostics laboratories, pathologists are more than ever required to actively participate as consultants on test selection and integrated clinical interpretation. This lecture will provide an overview of current next-generation technologies and their capabilities and indications for use in solid tumor diagnosis and management. These concepts will be reinforced with examples of personalized genomic analysis and management of a variety of solid tumors. Future trends in personalized tumor management will also be covered, including possibilities for testing of emerging specimen types, such as fine-needle aspirates and blood and other bodily fluids, from which trace cancer signals can be detected.
