In addition, taking repeated tumor biopsies from patients as they develop resistance to these drugs would help to understand the tumor dynamics.

Cyclin levels can easily be determined through immunohistological analysis of tumor biopsies.

The results of these tests are viewed together with the results of the tumor biopsy to determine the melanoma stage.

Recent studies with circulating tumor cells, suggest that the mutation frequency is higher than previously assumed based on tumor biopsies.

Oncotype DX looks at a panel of 21 genes in cells taken during tumor biopsy.

Ideally, the used of validated biomarkers would prevent patients from having to undergo tumor biopsies and lengthy clinical trials to determine if a new drug worked.

A tumor biopsy is not typically performed due to the chance of upstaging the cancer and seeding the abdomen with malignant cells.

Diagnosis of colorectal cancer is via tumor biopsy typically done during sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.

The most conclusive test for a patient with a potential neurofibrosarcoma is a tumor biopsy (taking a sample of cells directly from the tumor itself).

The scientists also found that the micro-RNA's were overly active in human tumor biopsies.