Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How is the test administered?
OncoCEE-BR™ is performed on a simple blood sample. You do not require a complex surgical biopsy for tissue. Additionally, you are not exposed to radiation like a CT Scan, PET/CT or X-Ray. You do not need to fast prior to the test. Consult with your doctor on preparation for either procedure if you have questions.
What are CTCs?
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are cells that have detached from a primary tumor and circulate in the bloodstream. CTCs may travel to other areas and create new tumors in different tissues or organs (metastasis). Elevated CTCs at anytime in the course of clinical treatment of metastic breast cancer are indicators of progression.
Why are CTCs Important?
The capture and detection of CTCs may have important prognostic and therapeutic implications because detection of tumor cells may have clinical utility in risk stratification in early cancer, in early detection of relapse and in monitoring the response to treatment. The presence of tumor cells circulating in the blood is associated with shortened survival from various solid tumor cancers.
What does prognosis versus predictive mean?
A prognostic test may indicate the outcome and course of a disease. A predictive test suggests likely response to a particular therapy. A CTC value is prognostic. Her2 results indicate a patient is a candidate for Her2 tailored drug therapy such as Herceptin.
How is breast cancer tested and monitored? How often do I need CTC testing?
A CTC test can be performed before, during, and after your therapy on a blood sample. You and your doctor should discuss the test, the frequency of the test, and what is appropriate for your unique situation.
What is the turn-around time for my physician to receive results after I provided blood or bone marrow aspirate?
Biocept will normally provide your physician the results of the tests within 5-7 days from when the sample is received into our laboratory.
What does this test tell me? Will it tell me if I have breast cancer?
The test was not designed to screen for breast cancer. It is intended to provide clinicians information on the presence of CTCs and specific biomarkers in the CTCs. These results
assist physicians in understanding the status of the disease and making decisions on current and future therapy. Treatments for metastic breast cancer have advanced over the past years, but diagnostic tools for selecting the appropriate pharmacologic agent have lagged. OncoCEE-BR™ is an advanced tool available now for your physician.
Can OncoCEE-BR™ detect the spread of cancer before other traditional methods?
There are several methods available to your clinician such as imaging studies (CT, PET/CT, MRI, X-Ray), blood tests for serum tumor markers, physical examination, and biopsies. Many breast cancer patients who start a new line of systemic therapy receive a PET/CT with FDG approximately 2-4 months after initiation of therapy. With Biocept OncoCEE-BR™, a physician can perform a “liquid biopsy” immediately.
Will my insurance cover the costs of the test?
Biocept utilizes standard reimbursement codes that are recognized by insurance carriers. Biocept is a Medicare participating provider. In compliance with federal statutes, Biocept will bill Medicare directly except inpatient hospital clients. Additionally, Medicare and other patients will be responsible for any deductible or co-pay outlined by their insurance plan. Biocept does not balance bill the patient for charges beyond the reasonable and customary fees granted by the insurance provider. Balance billing does not include the doctor or other provider charging or collecting out-of-pocket expenses such as deductibles, copayments, or co-insurance that may be required by the health plan.
If I am having chemo or radiation treatment, when should my blood be drawn for a CTC test?
We recommened that you and your physician wait two weeks after treatment to draw blood and send to Biocept. Most treatment cycles are 3-4 weeks apart.