Molecular and biomarker analysis has emerged in recent years as a means of going beyond current diagnostic and prognostic tools for PCa. Modern biomarkers can be used as a diagnostic procedure to determine the need for biopsy/repeat biopsy, for staging purposes/risk stratification, to evaluate the aggressiveness of PCa, and in the management of the therapeutic process to determine the type of treatment best suited to each patient (eg, surveillance, monotherapy, and multimodal therapy). Taken together, with several types of molecular and biomarker tests, better and more individual care can be provided to patients.
Certain factors can help to determine the usefulness of biomarker analysis in PCa and can help with further risk stratification. These factors include family cancer history in first-, second-, and third-degree relatives, patient history of prior cancer (either prostate or other), and known family history of familial cancer risk mutations.
Biomarker analysis is not necessarily used in lieu of biopsy but can help to determine whether biopsy is necessary in certain patients.
Learn more about screening and staging in PCa.
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Cite this: Chad R. Tracy. Fast Five Quiz: Prostate Cancer Molecular and Biomarker Analysis - Medscape - Aug 11, 2023.
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