Navigating the Uncertainty: Cancer Recurrence and Transforming Care
Originally Published 2 years ago — by STAT
The use of liquid biopsy, specifically ctDNA testing, for cancer surveillance has created a new category of patients known as "patients-in-waiting." These are individuals who have no radiologic evidence of disease but have positive results on ctDNA tests, indicating minimal residual disease (MRD). The uncertainty and anxiety that come with being a patient-in-waiting can be comparable to those experienced by patients with active disease. While ctDNA testing offers opportunities for early detection and personalized treatment, it also brings about ambiguous losses and alters the lives of patients and their caregivers. As these technologies advance, it is crucial to acknowledge both the triumphs and the challenges they present in cancer management.