MOLECULAR TESTING
Liquid biopsy and NGS in Turkey: what the result can — and cannot — tell you
Liquid biopsy analyses tumour-derived material circulating in blood, while NGS is a sequencing method that can be performed on tissue or blood depending on the test. The two terms are not interchangeable.
Medical decisions are made by the evaluating physicians and hospitals. MEDITRAVEL coordinates access and communication.
PATIENT DECISION PATHWAY
01
Diagnosis
Pathology · stage · imaging
02
Right team
Hospital · physician · tumour board
03
Decision
Plan · timeline · estimated cost
Tissue biopsy vs liquid biopsy
Both can be useful, but they answer different questions.
Tissue pathology
Often establishes the diagnosis and tumour architecture and can provide material for molecular testing.
Liquid biopsy
Can detect selected circulating tumour DNA alterations and may be useful when tissue is unavailable or for particular molecular questions.
Before ordering a test
Define the clinical question
Are you confirming diagnosis, looking for a drug target or investigating resistance?
Check sample suitability
The laboratory and oncologist should determine whether tissue, blood or both are appropriate.
Interpret actionability
Not every detected alteration has an approved or evidence-supported treatment.
Avoid delaying urgent care
Molecular testing should be integrated into the treatment timeline rather than pursued without a clear purpose.
Related information
Last editorial update: 2026-10-10. Medical background: NCI/ESMO. Hospital facts: public institutional sources and MEDITRAVEL partner pages. Sources & methodology.