Dr. Perez Describes Retesting Recurrent Breast Cancer

Edith A. Perez, MD, deputy director, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Florida, director, Breast Program, Serene M. and Frances C. Durling Professor of Medicine, Mayo Medical School, discusses the need to conduct new genetic assays in patients with recurrent breast cancer.

Perez states that preliminary data focused primarily on estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors has shown a 20% change between the primary and metastatic setting. These changes make it necessary to conduct a second biopsy and a new set of molecular tests for recurrent tumors.

Currently assays focus on hormone receptor status and HER2; as targeted therapies continue to advance the need to conduct a full genome analysis will become necessary in order to fully predict the best treatment plan for patients.