Definition

Laboratory methods that are used to help identify a disease or the risk of developing a disease, such as cancer, by studying molecules, such as DNA, RNA, and proteins, in a tissue or fluid sample. Molecular diagnostics may also be used to help plan treatment for a disease, look for recurrence of disease, or find out how well treatment is working. There are many types of molecular diagnostic tests, such as biomarker tests, genetic tests, tumor sequencing tests, and liquid biopsies.