Signatera Test. Is it truly helpful and worthwhile?

Posted by pbnew @pbnew, Nov 30, 2023

I haven’t met anyone who has used this test. Do oncologists recommend it? How does it help?

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pbnew | @pbnew | Jan 8 8:31pm

In reply to @lilacs777 "I dont think they do.... I think Signatera handles all the labs and tissue. Pink Lotus..." + (show)

Patient must get biopsy tissue. Then it is sent with first blood draw. Signatera keeps biopsy tissue for further testing.
Last year I couldn’t find a Dr in Dallas who would handle the procedure despite the fact that I was working with a Signatera representative who was supposed to hook me up with a Dr.

segm | @semurrey | Jan 12 10:30am

I am currently waiting on first blood draw for Signatera (phlebotomist visits your home) and will report back on the process. I agree issue is getting oncologist to help you interpret (I’m as Dana Farber and my onco says not part of clinical practice) but it’s our body and we should have right to take advantage of the tools that are available. Cancer centers all over USA are now offering early detection “centers” to help patients make sense of these lab results. It’s a money grab and while we all can’t pay out of pocket for these services it certainly is a lot cheaper in the long run to treat cancer before it spreads even though so many oncologists tell you even with early detection mortality is the same-really? I’d rather have best “quality” vs “quantity”-just my opinion xo

mspass | @mspass | May 14 1:44pm

Anyone doing circulating tumor DNA testing? I just started last week, results in 4-6 wks

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 23 1:42pm

In reply to @mspass "Anyone doing circulating tumor DNA testing? I just started last week, results in 4-6 wks" + (show)

@mspass, I moved your post about circulating tumor DNA testing to this active discussion on the same topic.

- Signatera Test. Is it truly helpful and worthwhile? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/signatera-test-is-it-truly-helpful-and-worthwhile/

roseann4z | @roseann4z | May 24 2:36pm

I have had this test quarterly for two years. My oncologist finds it useful in that it has cut my PET scans down first to every 6 months to now yearly. If I have symptoms or if the test is positive we will do a PET sooner. I find that helps me mentally. My oncologist is concerned about all the radiation from repeated scans over years.

pattypoo | @pattypoo | May 25 9:20am

My new oncologist won't order it. I'm possibly going to change insurance I have kaiser.

casbc | @casbc | May 25 12:08pm

I have it done every 3 months and my numbers are going down. Started @ 0.92, down to 0.12 now 0.05. On my way to ZERO!

mspass | @mspass | May 25 1:07pm

In reply to @casbc "I have it done every 3 months and my numbers are going down. Started @ 0.92,..." + (show)

Congrats....come on ZERO!

texas5 | @texas5 | May 28 1:45am

In reply to @roseann4z "I have had this test quarterly for two years. My oncologist finds it useful in that..." + (show)

I have had 2 pet/ct which definitely worry about radiation exposure.
Since your Onc is worried may I ask how many you have had?

roseann4z | @roseann4z | May 28 6:21am

In reply to @texas5 "I have had 2 pet/ct which definitely worry about radiation exposure. Since your Onc is worried..." + (show)

As someone with recurrences to my lymph nodes & other places over the years, for some time I was being scanned 2-3 times per year for several years. I would guess over the span of the last 10 years I have had at least 12.