Glossary
Liquid biopsy
(LIH-kwid BY-op-see)
A laboratory test done on a sample of blood, urine, or other body fluid to look for cancer cells from a tumor or small pieces of DNA, RNA, or other molecules released by tumor cells into a person’s body fluids. Liquid biopsy allows multiple samples to be taken over time, which may help doctors understand what kind of genetic or molecular changes are taking place in a tumor. A liquid biopsy may be used to help find cancer at an early stage. It may also be used to help plan treatment or to find out how well treatment is working or if cancer has come back.
Definition from the National Cancer Institute’s NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms.