Precision oncology is an advanced approach to cancer care that uses information about a tumour’s genetic, molecular and biological characteristics to help guide treatment decisions. Rather than relying only on where the cancer originated, it examines the specific alterations that may be driving its growth.
Tests such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) can identify biomarkers that may help oncologists select targeted therapies, immunotherapies or relevant clinical trials. However, not every identified alteration has an approved treatment, and genomic findings are considered alongside the cancer type and stage, the patient’s overall health, previous treatments and established clinical evidence.
At Apollo Cancer Centres, precision oncology is supported by molecular diagnostics and multidisciplinary review. Medical oncologists, pathologists, molecular experts and other specialists work together to interpret test results and develop an individualized, evidence-based treatment plan.
Why Precision Oncology Is Required
Advanced or Metastatic Cancer: May help identify additional treatment options when cancer has spread or standard treatments have provided limited benefit.
Treatment-resistant Cancer: Can reveal molecular changes associated with resistance and help guide the next treatment decision.
Rare or Biologically Complex Tumours: May provide useful treatment direction when standard options are limited or not clearly established.
Cancer of Unknown Primary: Molecular findings may help characterize the tumour and inform treatment when its site of origin cannot be identified.
Selection of Targeted Therapy or Immunotherapy: Certain medicines require confirmation of a specific biomarker before they can be prescribed.
Hereditary Cancer Risk Assessment: Germline testing may identify inherited variants that influence treatment, surveillance and counselling for family members.
Clinical Trial Evaluation: Biomarker results may help determine eligibility for clinical trials investigating emerging treatments.
Key Advantages
Side Effects of Precision Oncology
- Fatigue
- Skin rash, dryness or sensitivity
- Diarrhoea or other digestive changes
- Nausea or reduced appetite
- Changes in blood pressure
- Liver, heart or lung-related effects with certain medicines
- Changes in blood counts
- Immune-related inflammation affecting organs such as the skin, bowel, thyroid, lungs or liver
- Treatment-specific effects associated with the prescribed medicine
Continuum of Care
At Apollo Cancer Centres, precision oncology brings together advanced molecular diagnostics, specialist clinical expertise and multidisciplinary decision-making. When genomic or biomarker testing is appropriate, the oncology team helps patients understand why it is being recommended, what the results may reveal and how those findings could affect treatment.
Each report is evaluated alongside the cancer type and stage, previous treatments, overall health and current clinical evidence. Where a suitable biomarker is identified, patients may be considered for an approved targeted therapy, immunotherapy or relevant clinical trial. If testing does not identify an actionable alteration, the team discusses other evidence-based treatment options and provides a clear plan for the next stage of care.
