Genetic test helps predict return of colon cancer

The Oncotype DX test is an important diagnostic tool to help women with breast cancer determine how likely she will benefit from adding chemotherapy to her treatment. The test also measures how likely her cancer will return in the future.

Well, new research found that Oncotype DX Test may also help predict the return of colon cancer, and affect the treatment course of a patient. A patient with low “odds of recurrence” may not need chemotherapy, and can stick to surgery alone.

Oncotype DX Test for colon cancer is similar to the ones that is used in breast cancer, but the colon-cancer test is not as strong in predicting recurrence than breast cancer, but the test is useful nonetheless.

Genome Health, the makers of Oncotype DX test, will likely commercialize the genetic test for colon cancer sometime in 2010.