BCL2 is a gene that encodes a protein that helps keep cells alive. In healthy tissue, this is a carefully controlled process — BCL2 helps specific cells survive longer when needed, but the signal can be switched off when those cells are no longer required. In some cancers, particularly lymphomas and certain blood cancers, the …
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Variant allele frequency (VAF) is a measurement used in the genetic testing of tumours. It describes how common a specific genetic change is within a tested tissue sample and is usually reported as a percentage. Tumours are often tested for genetic changes because these changes can explain why a cancer developed, how it may behave, …
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Molecular testing is a type of laboratory testing that searches for specific changes in the genetic material (DNA or RNA) or proteins inside your cells. These changes can help doctors better understand the cause of a disease, how it might behave, and which treatments are most likely to be effective. Molecular testing is often performed …
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NTRK refers to a family of genes—NTRK1, NTRK2, and NTRK3—that provide instructions for making proteins called Trk-A, Trk-B, and Trk-C. These proteins are located on the cell surface and play a crucial role in regulating essential processes, such as cell growth and survival. In early development, they help nerve cells grow and form connections. In …
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In a molecular pathology report, the word rearrangement refers to a change in the DNA structure within a cell. DNA is usually organized into long strands called chromosomes, each containing many genes. A rearrangement happens when a piece of a chromosome breaks off and attaches somewhere else, either on the same chromosome or another chromosome. …
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A mutation is a change in a gene, which is a piece of DNA that provides instructions for how a cell should function. In a molecular pathology report, the word “mutation” means that there has been a genetic change in the tumour’s DNA. Some mutations are harmless, while others can contribute to cancer development or …
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Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a laboratory test used in pathology to detect and localize the presence or absence of specific DNA sequences on chromosomes. It works by using fluorescent probes that bind to only those parts of the chromosome that match or are complementary to the probe. It is commonly used in the …
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KRAS is a gene found in nearly all cells in the body. Genes are instructions made of DNA that tell cells how to grow, divide, and function. The KRAS gene provides instructions for making a protein that helps control how cells respond to growth signals. KRAS is also considered a biomarker. A biomarker is a …
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