Patient guide · 02
Genomic testing and pathways.
Four testing routes
One route is for blood cancers; three are for solid tumours (cancers that form a lump or mass).
Blood 600
Twin Blood 600
DNA and RNA together, from blood or bone marrow.
Exome / WES
Twin Exome
Whole-exome sequencing (WES) across every protein-coding gene.
Liquid 523
Twin Liquid
523-gene ctDNA panel from plasma. Hereditary testing included for germline filtering.
Tissue 335
Twin Tissue
335-gene panel. FFPE or fresh tumour tissue.
Samples, simply
Blood or bone marrow
Used by Twin Blood 600 for blood cancers.
A blood sample (plasma)
Used by Twin Liquid 523, which looks for tumour DNA circulating in the blood.
Tumour tissue
Used by Twin Tissue 335 — usually from a biopsy or surgery that has already happened.
Whole-exome sequencing
Twin Exome reads the protein-coding parts of the genome.
Who chooses the test
Before, during and after testing
- 01Before. Discuss with your oncologist what the test could change and how your information will be used. You will be asked for consent.
- 02During. The sample is collected (or an existing sample is used) and tested. The results are combined with information from your treating team.
- 03After. Your oncologist reviews and signs the report, and explains what it means. The report is also discussed at KPCIRC's Molecular Tumour Board.
- 04Over time. With Twin, the findings stay under review for six months as new information arrives.
Your care team will tell you the expected timeline for your pathway.
Results that may affect your family
Some tests can find changes that may be inherited. Twin Liquid includes hereditary testing to help separate inherited changes from tumour changes. A possible inherited finding needs confirmation and genetic counselling before it is treated as a diagnosis — and it can be a lot to take in. It's fine to ask your oncologist how such findings would be handled before you test.