Dr. David Spigel, Sarah Cannon Cancer Center, discusses the importance of genomic testing in squamous lung cancer.

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Squamous Lung Cancer, Part 2: Genomic Testing Audio Podcast

What you’ll hear in Part 2:

• Molecular testing (also called genetic or genomic testing) in squamous lung cancer
• Newly information about genetic targets for squamous lung cancer

Glossary of some terms you’ll hear in Part 2:

Find more cancer definitions at the National Cancer Institute’s Dictionary of Cancer Terms

• Adenocarcinoma – Cancer that begins in glandular (secretory) cells. Glandular cells are found in tissue that lines certain internal organs and makes and releases substances in the body, such as mucus, digestive juices, or other fluids. Most cancers of the breast, pancreas, lung, prostate, and colon are adenocarcinomas.
• ALK – A gene that makes a protein called anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), which may be involved in cell growth. Mutated (changed) forms of the ALK gene and protein have been found in non-small cell lung cancer. These changes may increase the growth of cancer cells. Checking for changes in the ALK gene in tumor tissue may help to plan cancer treatment.
• B-RAF – A gene that makes a protein called B-RAF, which is involved in sending signals in cells and in cell growth. This gene may be mutated (changed) in many types of cancer, which causes a change in the B-RAF protein. This can increase the growth and spread of cancer cells.
• EGFR – The protein found on the surface of some cells and to which epidermal growth factor binds, causing the cells to divide. It is found at abnormally high levels on the surface of many types of cancer cells, so these cells may divide excessively in the presence of epidermal growth factor. Also called epidermal growth factor receptor, ErbB1, and HER1.
• Genomics – The study of the complete genetic material, including genes and their functions, of an organism.
• Oncogenic drivers – That which causes the formation, or supports the progression, of a cancer.
• Oral therapy – A drug taken by mouth.
• Personalized medicine – In cancer, personalized medicine uses specific information about a person’s tumor to help diagnose, plan treatment, find out how well treatment is working, or make a prognosis.
• ROS1 – A receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) of the insulin receptor family. ROS1 fusions were identified as a potential "driver" mutation in non-small cell lung cancer. (My Cancer Genome)
• Squamous lung cancer – One of the three sub-types of lung cancer.