EGF - Epidermal Growth Factor Test

The EGF - Epidermal Growth Factor reactor test is often carried out to determine if the tumor
samples have the requisite EGFR mutations as they are thought to speed up the growth of the
cancer cells and cause it to spread more rapidly. This test is often carried out to determine the best
course of treatment as well as medication for inhibiting the EGFR mutations, so as to arrest the
growth of the tumor in question. If you are a cancer patient, then you need to consult with your
physician once you determine that that your current condition is –
non-responsive to current treatment
Exhibiting additional growth
Increase in size
Exhibiting more pain and discomfort
Leading to development of more tumor cells
You need to consult with your physician right away since EGFR mutations can actually enable the
tumor cells to spread to other parts of your body.

Your physician would first assess your current prognosis and your responsiveness to the current treatment and he would order a EGFR test once he confirms that the tumor is indeed growing. It is vital that you report to your physician regularly so as to enable him to monitor your current condition and progress, given your current condition. This test is vital since on confirmation of presence of EGFR mutations, your physician can now prescribe a more effective course of medication that would suppress the EGFR gene and thereby provide you with an effective course of treatment.

This test is mainly used to determine the presence of mutations in the EGFR gene; this test is often carried out as a precursor to a more effective therapy to suppress the growth of cancer cells. Furthermore, the EGFR test is widely used in the treatment of - Lung cancer Colon cancer Glioblastoma Breast cancer Pancreatic cancer

Your physician would first need to remove a few tumor cells; once he has gotten a sample of the same, it will be tagged and processed before being sent to the lab for a complete analysis. This procedure can take some time, but once the results are available and your doctor is able to confirm the presence of EGFR mutations, he can then prescribe a more effective course of treatment. He may also order additional tests to streamline medication as well as determine if you are currently building up a tolerance to current medications that you are taking at the moment for your cancer.