At GRACE, we’re committed to helping patients and families understand the latest tools in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Today, let’s take a closer look at liquid biopsies—a fast-growing technology that is changing how doctors detect and treat cancer.
When facing a cancer diagnosis, one of the most important steps is finding the treatment that’s right for you. To do that, doctors need detailed information about the cancer—especially its genetic makeup. Traditionally, this has been done through a tissue biopsy, where a sample of the tumor is removed and analyzed.

Today, there’s an exciting new option called a liquid biopsy. This simple blood test can provide the same critical information—sometimes faster and with fewer challenges. In this article, Dr. Luis Raez, Medical Director of the Memorial Cancer Institute, explains how liquid biopsies work, why they matter, and how they may transform cancer care in the years to come.
 

What is a Liquid Biopsy?

A liquid biopsy is a simple blood test that looks for cancer-related genetic changes (called mutations or alterations). Instead of relying only on a tissue biopsy (where a piece of the tumor is removed and analyzed), liquid biopsies allow doctors to study cancer using just a blood sample. This test can identify important genetic information that helps doctors choose the most effective, personalized treatment for each patient.

Why Liquid Biopsies Matter

Dr. Raez explains that liquid biopsies are still underused, even though they have tremendous potential. Currently, they are most often used in lung cancer patients with advanced disease—but their benefits could expand much further in the near future.
Here are two key ways liquid biopsies are making a difference today:

1. When There Isn’t Enough Tissue
   About 20% of the time, doctors don’t get enough tissue during a biopsy to run all the necessary tests. Without this genetic information, patients could miss out on targeted therapies that can extend life for years. For example, patients with certain alterations, like ALK, can live 8–9 years or more with the right treatment—even with advanced cancer. In these cases, a liquid biopsy can provide the missing information and open the door to life-changing therapies.

    

2. Faster Results = Faster Treatment Decisions
   When it comes to cancer care, time matters. The sooner doctors have the genetic information they need, the sooner they can start the right treatment.

   • Liquid biopsies deliver results in about 8–9 days—much faster than traditional tissue biopsies, which can take several weeks. Tissue samples need to be carefully processed, shipped to specialized labs, and analyzed—a process that's especially time-consuming for patients treated at community hospitals.
      

     Here's where the dual approach makes a real difference:
     Many oncologists now order both a liquid biopsy and a tissue biopsy at the same time. Because the liquid biopsy results come back first, doctors can often make a treatment decision right away—this happens about 80% of the time. If more detailed information is needed, the tissue biopsy results arrive later to complete the picture.

The Future of Liquid Biopsies

While liquid biopsies are still relatively new and currently used in only a small percentage of cancer cases, their potential is enormous. Dr. Raez predicts that we'll see rapid growth in their use over the next 2–3 years, with applications expanding far beyond lung cancer to other cancer types.

Ongoing research is revealing that liquid biopsies are more than just a backup option when tissue isn't available. They're on track to become a frontline tool in cancer diagnosis and treatment planning—offering doctors a faster, less invasive way to access the genetic information that shapes personalized care.
As the technology continues to advance and more evidence emerges, liquid biopsies may soon become a standard part of the cancer care toolkit for patients across many diagnoses.

Key Takeaways for Patients

• Liquid biopsies are:
  -    Less invasive than traditional biopsies.
  -    Faster in delivering results.
  -    Helpful when tissue samples are limited.
• While not yet a complete replacement for tissue biopsies, they are becoming an essential partner in cancer care.
• Ask your doctor if a liquid biopsy is right for you, especially if you’re being tested for advanced lung cancer.

The content of this article has been algorithmically generated by an AI model trained on a wide range of data and is based on a Grace's video transcript from our 
Liquid Biopsy in Lung Cancer 2025 Importance of Testing Program - https://youtu.be/U1ZVrmDwX6c  Verified by Joseph Steward, Medical Writer.

Every effort has been made to ensure the quality and reliability of the content; however, limitations, inaccuracies, or biases may exist. The content should not be considered a substitute for professional advice, and we recommend seeking professional guidance and independently verifying the information before making decisions based on this content.