Dr. Hays on the Importance of Genetic Testing in Colorectal Cancer

John L. Hays, MD, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, member, the Translational Therapeutics Program, the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - James Cancer Hospital, discusses the importance of genetic testing in colorectal cancer (CRC).

The treatment landscape of colon cancer has evolved over the past few years, with the emergence of treatments beyond standard chemotherapy, Hays says. There are several defined molecular subtypes and mutations within colon cancer, and testing for them can lead to different treatment algorithms for patients as they undergo therapy for metastatic CRC, Hays continues.

Instead of treating every patient at a surface level, it is important to treat a patient’s tumor at a molecular level because that will provide a better chance at survival and good quality of life, Hays concludes.