Molecular diagnostics and genomics

 

To help you get the latest and most effective medicine for your cancer, we send cancer samples for special testing to Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London.

The Trust has a South East Hub for genetic testing for patients living in our area. The Hub screens the DNA in your tumour to check for mutations.

This testing can help your doctor find the most appropriate medicine for you.

At Royal Surrey we have a team of 22 highly trained scientists in our state-of-the-art Molecular Diagnostics laboratory. The team carries out some testing on behalf of the South East Hub, as well as other genetic tests. You can read more below about what the team does.

 

If you have colorectal, melanoma, lung or breast cancer the team may investigate the DNA of your tumour.  They will be looking at tiny mutations in the cells that give us crucial information about your disease. These mutations are then matched to the best drugs that can target your specific genetic quirks. This is also known as personalised care, as it means that you will not have to go through rounds of treatment that will not work.  Instead you will be offered the best treatment first time round, which will generally be a form of immunotherapy or targeted therapy.

How do we take a DNA sample?

A sample of your tumour will either be taken during a biopsy or surgery.  A small section will then be taken to our laboratory where it will be analysed carefully. The results of these tests are usually available within two weeks.

 

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, your tumour will be analysed to find out what the chances are of the disease returning within 10 years. This will happen in the laboratory after your tumour has been removed and the findings will help your doctor decide the right treatment for you.