how long to wait for EGFR - 1262765

Hi gigy,

Waiting for molecular marker test results before initiating treatment is always a difficult choice from the patient's perspective, but as long as it is felt that you will be fit enough to start treatment once the results are received, it is usually considered a good choice. Here are a few podcasts in which GRACE faculty members discuss that process:

http://cancergrace.org/lung/2013/07/04/juergens-pros-cons-molecular-tes…
http://cancergrace.org/lung/2013/04/30/spigel-pros-cons-molecular-testi…
http://cancergrace.org/lung/2013/02/25/goldberg-on-pros-cons-of-molec-t…

JimC
Forum moderator

I'm sorry about your diagnosis and understand your anxiety about molecular marker testing.

Some labs will turn it around faster, so the main alternative would be to see if it's possible to get it re-sent elsewhere. However, it's quite likely that by the time you have that discussion, he and/or the pathologist chase down alternative, and a new bit of tissue goes to a new lab, you'll still end up getting the results at about the same time. It typically takes at least 5-7 days, and even if 3 weeks is longer than I'd ever want it to take (and would seek another lab rather than accept that turn-around time), 10-14 days isn't unusual.

I wish I had better alternatives to suggest.

Good luck on the test result.

-Dr. West

If it's any comfort, it's really quite rare for a lung cancer, and specifically a non-small cell lung cancer, to grow so quickly that a week or two is likely to have a significant impact. There is a definite consensus among lung cancer experts that it's more important to take the time to select the right treatment from the beginning than to rush into treatment just to save time.

Good luck.

-Dr. West

gigy, Since it's presumed to be the same cancer process then it's fine to use a sample 2 years old especially since it's the only tissue available.

I don't know if you've tried out our search feature but it works really well for finding discussions on just about anything, however you may need to log off Grace before getting results. It just depends on what browser you're using (the browser companies don't play well together making it more difficult for us, boo). A good test to know if the search engine works is to search "egfr", if it comes up with no results then you know you have to log off.
Another option if you don't have the magically right browser is to use google search. Start with site:cancergrace.org egfr Note the spacing, no spaces until after .org then just use your search term or terms as normal.
Anyway, a world of info is at your fingertips.

Don't hesitate to ask questions when you have them or can't find answers to.

I'm keeping you in my thoughts,
Janine

Janine is quite right that there's a lot information to be found by searching. Yes, it's really very reasonable to use archived tissue from a couple of years ago. The most current tissue is always preferable, but it's very likely that the archived tissue will produce the same result.

Let us know if you have other questions after reviewing the content you find by searching.

Good luck.
-Dr. West

Don't worry about it -- it's not the biggest deal. And besides, the reminder wasn't just for you but for everyone who might find a lot of information they're looking for just by doing a search.

-Dr. West