There are many different types of genetic testing. At Moffitt Cancer Center, genetic testing may be recommended to help your medical team customize your care or help us learn if you are at an increased risk for specific types of cancer. To help determine your best treatment options, we can utilize Somatic Tumor Testing and Germline Genetic Testing.
- Somatic Tumor Testing is an option that may be recommended and ordered directly by a physician to learn more about a tumor. This testing is performed on tumor tissue and looks at the genetic makeup within a tumor. This testing can sometimes help determine which treatments may be most effective.
- Germline Genetic Testing is a tool to help determine if someone has a specific condition or is at an increased risk to develop certain types of cancer. Germline genetic testing for inherited cancer risk looks at the genetic makeup that you were born with and is ordered based on the information obtained from a genetic counseling session. In a genetic counseling session, you meet with a genetic counselor who is specifically trained to help you understand your cancer risks based on family history, whether additional genetic testing is right for you, and what genetic testing could mean for you and your family. Genetic counseling is an option that your physician may recommend based on your personal or family history of cancer, but is also available upon request.
To learn more or request an appointment for genetic testing and/or genetic counseling at Moffitt Cancer Center, call 1-888-663-3488 or complete our new patient registration form online. No referrals are necessary.