Personalised Cancer Plan
Make treatment decisions with greater confidence
Precision insights that complement standard oncology care to guide next-step planning and ongoing monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Liquid biopsy can add biological insight alongside standard care. Below are common questions from patients and caregivers — explained in simple terms.
Quick guide
This page helps you understand what liquid biopsy can and cannot do — and when it may be helpful to discuss with your doctor.
Not sure which test fits?
A short consultation can help you decide whether liquid biopsy may be suitable based on your stage, treatment history, and goals.
A short consultation can help you decide whether liquid biopsy may be suitable based on your stage, treatment history, and goals.
What it supports
Treatment selection • Monitoring response • Reviewing next-step options • Adding insight when results are unclear
1
Why does liquid biopsy cost more than a normal blood test?
1
Why does liquid biopsy cost more than a normal blood test?
Liquid biopsy is not a routine blood panel. It isolates cancer-related signals (such as circulating tumour cells, or tumour DNA) and performs advanced laboratory analysis.
- It looks for biological signals linked to cancer behaviour.
- Some approaches can also evaluate how tumour cells respond to different treatments in the lab.
2
Why not just follow standard treatment first?
2
Why not just follow standard treatment first?
Standard treatment is evidence-based and often effective — but in many cases it involves trial-and-error. If multiple options exist, additional biological insight may help guide the next step more efficiently.
- Each ineffective treatment can mean side effects and lost time.
- Liquid biopsy aims to add information before choosing the next step.
3
What is the “hidden cost” of trial-and-error treatment?
3
What is the “hidden cost” of trial-and-error treatment?
The hidden cost includes not only treatment expense, but also time, toxicity, and quality-of-life impact.
- One chemotherapy cycle may cost around $8,000–$50,000.
- Multiple failed treatments may reach $50,000–$200,000+ in a year (excluding indirect costs).
4
What makes functional liquid biopsy different?
4
What makes functional liquid biopsy different?
Genetic tests focus on mutations (what the DNA looks like). Functional liquid biopsy focuses on tumour behaviour (how living tumour cells respond in the lab).
- Genetic tests: identify mutation signals.
- Functional tests: evaluate cell response patterns, which may provide additional insight for decision-making.
5
Does liquid biopsy guarantee a treatment will work?
5
Does liquid biopsy guarantee a treatment will work?
No. It provides laboratory guidance that can support decisions — but clinical outcomes still depend on many factors (tumour biology, stage, prior treatments, overall health, and more).
6
Who should consider liquid biopsy testing?
6
Who should consider liquid biopsy testing?
It may be worth discussing when:
- You are starting treatment and want added biological insight.
- Cancer is advanced, recurrent, or resistant.
- Multiple treatment options exist and you want guidance on next steps.
- Previous treatments had limited effect.
- You want additional monitoring support during treatment.
7
Does it replace my oncologist?
7
Does it replace my oncologist?
No. Liquid biopsy complements standard oncology care. Results should be reviewed together with your treating doctor to support appropriate decisions.
8
Can liquid biopsy help if my scans look “stable” but I still feel worse?
8
Can liquid biopsy help if my scans look “stable” but I still feel worse?
Sometimes symptoms, biology, and imaging do not change at the same pace. Liquid biopsy may provide additional biological context to discuss with your doctor, especially when the situation is unclear.
9
When is the best time to do liquid biopsy — before treatment or after?
9
When is the best time to do liquid biopsy — before treatment or after?
Many people discuss it at key decision points:
- Before starting a new line of treatment.
- When considering multiple options.
- When treatment response is unclear.
- During monitoring, especially if cancer is known to change over time.
10
What information should I prepare before consultation?
10
What information should I prepare before consultation?
If available, bring:
- Diagnosis and staging information
- Pathology report and imaging summary
- Treatment history (drugs received, response, side effects)
- Current medications and key lab results
11
Is liquid biopsy safe?
11
Is liquid biopsy safe?
It is generally a blood draw, similar to routine blood collection. Any risk is typically the same as standard venipuncture (minor bruising or discomfort).
12
What if my liquid biopsy finds “no mutation” or “low signals”?
12
What if my liquid biopsy finds “no mutation” or “low signals”?
That can happen. It may reflect tumour biology, tumour shedding levels, or timing. Results are interpreted alongside imaging and clinical evaluation, and may still support planning or monitoring discussions.
13
Can this help if I’m deciding between chemo, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy?
13
Can this help if I’m deciding between chemo, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy?
It may provide additional biological insight that supports treatment discussion — especially when multiple pathways are possible. Final decisions remain clinical and should be made with your oncology team.
14
How do I use the results with my oncologist?
14
How do I use the results with my oncologist?
You can share the report with your doctor and discuss:
- What signals may be clinically relevant in your context
- Which options align with your treatment goal
- How to monitor response and when to reassess
15
What is the next step?
15
What is the next step?
Book a consultation to see whether liquid biopsy testing may be suitable for your situation and what information it may add to your current care plan.
Ready to discuss your options?
Book a consultation to see whether liquid biopsy may be suitable for your situation.
WhatsApp Our Expert
Book a consultation to see whether liquid biopsy may be suitable for your situation.
Are you starting your Chemo?
Get a free 15 min discussion with our expert
Empower yourself with knowledge about precision medicine!
Contact Us
Contact Us for the updated information on Precision Medicine
+852 4750 3485
Email Us
info@mycancerinfo.org