Circulating Tumor Dna

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) refers to pieces of DNA released by cancerous cells into the bloodstream. It has provided a powerful tool for diagnosing and monitoring cancer development, as ctDNA carries information about the molecular characteristics of the tumor. By monitoring ctDNA levels, clinicians can gain a better understanding of how well a patient's cancer is responding to treatment and also predict the likelihood of its recurrence. Additionally, ctDNA is being studied as an early diagnostic marker for certain types of cancer, and as a way to identify which individuals are at risk of developing certain cancers.