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<span>BRAF Genetic Test</span>
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<h1>BRAF Genetic Test</h1>
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<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>What is a <em>BRAF</em> genetic test?</h2>
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<p>A <em>BRAF</em> <a data-tid="262" href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetictesting.html">genetic test</a> uses a sample of tumor tissue, bone marrow, or blood to look for changes in a gene called <a data-pid="17899" href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/braf/">BRAF</a>. Changes in your genes are also called <a data-pid="20117" href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/mutationsanddisorders/genemutation/">gene variants</a> or mutations. The test is usually done to look for changes in the <em>BRAF</em> gene that may be involved in <a data-tid="25" href="https://medlineplus.gov/cancer.html">cancer</a>.</p>
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<p>Genes are parts of DNA in your cells that you inherit from your parents. Genes carry information that controls what you look like and how your body works. The <em>BRAF</em> gene provides instructions for making a protein that tells your cells when to grow and divide to make new cells.</p>
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<p>Certain changes in your <em>BRAF</em> gene may change the gene's instructions and lead to BRAF proteins that are too active. These abnormal BRAF proteins trigger too much cell growth. As a result, cells that have the changed <em>BRAF</em> gene may grow out of control and become cancer.</p>
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<p>Changed <em>BRAF</em> genes and their proteins are commonly found in <a data-tid="321" href="https://medlineplus.gov/melanoma.html">melanoma</a>, the most serious form of skin cancer. Changes are also found in several other types of cancer, including <a data-tid="88" href="https://medlineplus.gov/colorectalcancer.html">colon</a>, <a data-tid="438" href="https://medlineplus.gov/thyroidcancer.html">thyroid</a>, <a data-tid="348" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ovariancancer.html">ovarian</a>, <a data-tid="86" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lungcancer.html">lung</a>, and certain blood cancers.</p>
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<p>Cancers with changes in the <em>BRAF</em> gene tend to grow more quickly than cancers that don't have this gene change. Knowing whether your cancer has a changed <em>BRAF</em> gene can help your health care provider choose the most effective treatment for you.</p>
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<p>Changes in your BRAF genes can be acquired or inherited from your parents:</p>
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<ul>
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<li><strong>Acquired changes</strong> in your <em>BRAF</em> genes develop sometime after you're born. Most changes in <em>BRAF</em> genes are acquired. These changes can happen if your cells make a mistake when they divide to make new cells. Changes can also happen if you're exposed to substances that cause cancer. Acquired changes in genes show up only in certain types of cells. They're usually not in sperm or egg cells, so you can't pass them down to children.</li>
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<li><strong>Inherited changes</strong> in your genes are changes that you're born with. All the cells in your body have the gene change, including your egg or sperm cells. That means you can pass the change down to your children. Inherited changes in the <em>BRAF</em> gene are very rare, but they can increase your risk of cancer or cause different types of genetic conditions that are present from birth.</li>
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</ul>
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<p>Other names: <em>BRAF</em> gene mutation analysis, Melanoma, <em>BRAF</em> V600 mutation</p></div>
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</section>
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<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>What is it used for?</h2>
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<p><em>BRAF</em> genetic testing may be used to:</p>
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<ul>
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<li>Look for changes in the <em>BRAF</em> gene in certain types of cancer. This information may be used to diagnose certain types of cancer and/or guide treatment decisions.</li>
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<li>Check for inherited changes in the <em>BRAF</em> gene. This is not a routine <a data-tid="4482" href="https://medlineplus.gov/healthscreening.html">screening test</a>. But it may be used if your personal or family health history suggests that you may have a high risk for cancer or another condition that's caused by inherited changes in the <em>BRAF gene</em>. Your risk of cancer from inherited gene change may be high if:
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<ul>
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<li>You or a family member have had cancer at an unusually young age</li>
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<li>You have several close family members who have the same type of cancer</li>
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<li>You or a family member have two or more types of cancer</li>
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</ul>
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</li>
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</ul></div>
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</section>
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<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>Why do I need a <em>BRAF</em> genetic test</h2>
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<p>You may need a <em>BRAF</em> genetic test if you:</p>
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<ul>
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<li><strong>Have a cancer that could be caused by changes in your <em>BRAF</em> gene.</strong> The results from a <em>BRAF</em> genetic test can help your provider:
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<ul>
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<li>Predict how fast your cancer may grow.</li>
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<li>Know whether targeted treatment is likely to help you. Targeted treatment for cancer with changes in <em>BRAF</em> genes blocks or slows the abnormal proteins that make cancer grow. These medicines could be harmful if they are prescribed for cancers that don't have changed <em>BRAF</em> genes. So <em>BRAF</em> testing is needed to match you with the best treatment for your cancer.</li>
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<li>Understand how your cancer may respond to treatments, such as <a data-tid="464" href="https://medlineplus.gov/cancerchemotherapy.html">chemotherapy</a> or <a data-tid="2724" href="https://medlineplus.gov/radiationtherapy.html">radiation therapy</a>.</li>
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</ul>
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</li>
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<li><strong>Have a personal or family health history that increases your risk of cancer involving inherited changes in your <em>BRAF</em> gene.</strong> A <em>BRAF</em> genetic test can help you estimate and manage your cancer risk. The test can also show whether you could pass a changed <em>BRAF</em> gene to your children.</li>
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<li><strong>Have a family health history of a genetic condition caused by <em>BRAF</em> gene changes. </strong><em>BRAF</em> genetic testing can help you understand if you and your partner have <em>BRAF</em> gene changes that you could pass to your children.</li>
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</ul>
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<p>If you're considering a <em>BRAF</em> gene test to look for an inherited gene change, a <a data-tid="3811" href="https://medlineplus.gov/geneticcounseling.html">genetic counselor</a> can help you consider the pros and cons of this test.</p></div>
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</section>
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<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>What happens during a <em>BRAF</em> genetic test?</h2>
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<p><strong>If you're having a <em>BRAF</em> genetic test because you have cancer</strong>, the test will depend what type of cancer you have:</p>
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<ul>
|
||
<li><strong>For solid tumors</strong>, the test often uses a sample of cells from the tumor. The sample may be taken:
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><strong>During surgery</strong> to remove the entire tumor.</li>
|
||
<li><strong>With a <a data-tid="5921" href="https://medlineplus.gov/biopsy.html">biopsy</a></strong> to remove a small amount of tissue. The type of biopsy you have depends on where your cancer is located. A biopsy may be done with:
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>A hollow needle inserted through your skin. Imaging tests, such as <a data-pid="3501" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/sonogram/">ultrasound</a> may be used to guide the needle.</li>
|
||
<li>Minor surgery to remove a sample of tissue (an incisional biopsy).</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li><strong>With a blood test.</strong> If surgery or a biopsy isn't possible, you may have a blood test to look for DNA that the tumor has shed in your bloodstream. This is called a "liquid biopsy." To do a blood test, a health care professional will use a small needle to take a blood sample from a vein in your arm.
|
||
</li></ul>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li><strong>For blood cancer</strong>, a blood test or a <a data-pid="692" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/bone-marrow-tests/">bone marrow test</a> may be used. Marrow is soft, spongy tissue found inside of bones. Most bone marrow samples are taken from the back of the hip bone.</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p><strong>If you're having a <em>BRAF</em> genetic test to check for inherited gene changes</strong>, you will usually have a blood test.</p></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?</h2>
|
||
<p>If you're having a blood test, you usually don't need any special preparations. Ask your provider about how to prepare for other types of <em>BRAF</em> gene tests.</p></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>Are there any risks to the test?</h2>
|
||
<p>The risks of a <em>BRAF</em> gene test depend on how your sample is collected. Talk with your provider about your risks.</p>
|
||
<p>In general, with a <strong>biopsy</strong>, you may have soreness, pain, or bleeding where the tissue was removed.</p>
|
||
<p>A <strong>blood test</strong> has very little risk. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.</p>
|
||
<p>After a <strong>bone marrow test</strong>, you may feel stiff or sore where the sample was taken. This usually goes away in a few days. Serious symptoms are very rare, but may include swelling, bleeding at the site, or <a data-tid="511" href="https://medlineplus.gov/fever.html">fever</a>.</p></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>What do the results mean?</h2>
|
||
<p><strong>If you have cancer</strong> and your test results show:</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><strong>You have a change in your <em>BRAF</em> gene</strong>, your provider may prescribe medicines that are designed to target the changed BRAF proteins that are making your cancer grow. You may also need other treatments.</li>
|
||
<li><strong>You don't have a change in your <em>BRAF</em> gene</strong>, your provider will prescribe another type of treatment for your cancer.</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p><strong>If you don't have cancer</strong> and your results show you have a change in your <em>BRAF</em> gene, it <strong>does not</strong> mean you'll get cancer. But, depending on the change, you may have a higher risk of developing cancer.</p>
|
||
<p>You may be able to reduce your risk by having more frequent cancer screenings. For example, to reduce or risk of melanoma, you can have more <a data-pid="2151" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/skin-cancer-screening/">skin exams</a> to check your whole body for moles and other suspicious growths. Cancer screening can help catch cancer early when it's easier to treat.</p>
|
||
<p><strong>If you have an inherited change in your <em>BRAF</em> gene</strong>, talk with your provider or a genetic counselor to learn about the risks of passing the change to your children.</p>
|
||
<p>Learn more about <a data-pid="806" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/how-to-understand-your-lab-results/">laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results</a>.</p></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-content"></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-refs mp-content"><h2>References</h2>
|
||
<ol>
|
||
<li>American Cancer Society [Internet]. Atlanta: American Cancer Society Inc.; c2022. Melanoma Skin Cancer; [cited 2022 Aug 11]; [about 6 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/melanoma-skin-cancer.html" target="bibliowin">https://www.cancer.org/cancer/melanoma-skin-cancer.html</a></li>
|
||
<li>American Cancer Society [Internet]. Atlanta: American Cancer Society Inc.; c2022. Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes; [cited 2022 Aug 11]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.cancer.org/healthy/cancer-causes/genetics/genes-and-cancer/oncogenes-tumor-suppressor-genes.html" target="bibliowin">https://www.cancer.org/healthy/cancer-causes/genetics/genes-and-cancer/oncogenes-tumor-suppressor-genes.html</a></li>
|
||
<li>American Cancer Society [Internet]. Atlanta: American Cancer Society Inc.; c2022. Targeted Therapy for Melanoma Skin Cancer; [updated 2019 Aug 14; cited 2022 Aug 11]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/melanoma-skin-cancer/treating/targeted-therapy.html" target="bibliowin">https://www.cancer.org/cancer/melanoma-skin-cancer/treating/targeted-therapy.html</a></li>
|
||
<li>Cancer.Net [Internet]. Alexandria (VA): American Society of Clinical Oncology; c2005-2022. Genetic Testing for Cancer Risk; [updated 2018 Aug; cited 2022 Aug 11; [about 3 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/cancer-basics/genetics/genetic-testing-cancer-risk" target="bibliowin">https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/cancer-basics/genetics/genetic-testing-cancer-risk</a></li>
|
||
<li>Cancer.Net [Internet]. Alexandria (VA): American Society of Clinical Oncology; c2005-2022. What is Targeted Therapy?; [updated 2022 May; cited 2022 Aug 11]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/how-cancer-treated/personalized-and-targeted-therapies/what-targeted-therapy" target="bibliowin">https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/how-cancer-treated/personalized-and-targeted-therapies/what-targeted-therapy</a></li>
|
||
<li>Johns Hopkins Medicine [Internet]. The Johns Hopkins University, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Johns Hopkins Health System; c2022. BRAF Mutation and Cancer; [cited 2022 Sep 8]; [about 5 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/braf-mutation-and-cancer" target="bibliowin">https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/braf-mutation-and-cancer</a></li>
|
||
<li>Kwapisz D. The first liquid biopsy test approved. Is it a new era of mutation testing for non-small cell lung cancer? Ann Transl Med. 2017 Feb (cited 2022 Sep 8) ;5(3):46. doi: 10.21037/atm.2017.01.32. PMID: 28251125; PMCID: PMC5326656. Available from: <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5326656/" target="bibliowin">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5326656/</a></li>
|
||
<li>LabCorp [Internet]. Burlington (NC): Laboratory Corporation of America(r) Holdings; Testing at Every State of Cancer Care:c2022. BRAF Gene Mutation Analysis; [cited 2022 Aug 11]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://oncology.labcorp.com/tests/481030/braf-gene-mutation-analysis" target="bibliowin">https://oncology.labcorp.com/tests/481030/braf-gene-mutation-analysis</a></li>
|
||
<li>Mayo Clinic: Mayo Medical Laboratories [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1995-2022. Test ID: BRAFD: BRAF V600E/V600K Somatic Mutation Analysis, Tumor: Clinical & Interpretive; [cited 2022 Aug 11]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/608305#Clinical-and-Interpretive" target="bibliowin">https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/608305#Clinical-and-Interpretive</a></li>
|
||
<li>MedlinePlus [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); BRAF gene; [2018 Aug 1; cited 2022 Aug 11]; [about 8 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/braf/" target="bibliowin">https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/braf/</a></li>
|
||
<li>MedlinePlus [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); What is a gene variant and how do variants occur?; [updated 2021 Mar 25; cited 2022 Aug 11]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/mutationsanddisorders/genemutation/" target="bibliowin">https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/mutationsanddisorders/genemutation/</a></li>
|
||
<li>National Cancer Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Genetic Testing for Inherited Cancer Susceptibility Syndromes; [updated 2019 Mar 15; cited 2022 Aug 11]; [about 9 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics/genetic-testing-fact-sheet" target="bibliowin">https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics/genetic-testing-fact-sheet</a></li>
|
||
<li>National Cancer Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: BRAF gene; [cited 2022 Aug 11]; [about 1 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/braf-gene" target="bibliowin">https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/braf-gene</a></li>
|
||
<li>National Cancer Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: BRAF (V600) mutation; [cited 2022 Aug 11]; [about 1 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/braf-v600-mutation" target="bibliowin">https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/braf-v600-mutation</a></li>
|
||
<li>National Cancer Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: gene; [cited 2022 Aug 11]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/gene" target="bibliowin">https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/gene</a></li>
|
||
<li>National Cancer Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: oncogene; [cited 2022 Aug 11]; [about 1 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/oncogene" target="bibliowin">https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/oncogene</a></li>
|
||
<li>Quest Diagnostics [Internet]. Quest Diagnostics; c2000-2019. Test Center: Melanoma, BRAF V600 Mutation, Cobas; [cited 2022 Aug 11]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://testdirectory.questdiagnostics.com/test/test-detail/90956/melanoma-braf-v600-mutation-cobas?p=r&q=Melanoma,%20BRAF%20V600%20Mutation,%20Cobas%C2%AE&cc=MASTER" target="bibliowin">https://testdirectory.questdiagnostics.com/test/test-detail/90956/melanoma-braf-v600-mutation-cobas?p=r&q=Melanoma,%20BRAF%20V600%20Mutation,%20Cobas%C2%AE&cc=MASTER</a></li>
|
||
<li>Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA): OneCare Media; c2022. Biopsy; [cited 2022 Sep 8]; [about 1 screen]. Available from: <a href="https://www.testing.com/glossary/#biopsy" target="bibliowin">https://www.testing.com/glossary/#biopsy</a></li>
|
||
<li>Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA): OneCare Media; c2022. FDA Approves First Liquid Biopsies that Test for Mutations in Multiple Genes; [modified 2021 Jan 14; cited 2022 Sep 8]; [about 5 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.testing.com/news/fda-approves-first-liquid-biopsies-test-mutations-multiple-genes/" target="bibliowin">https://www.testing.com/news/fda-approves-first-liquid-biopsies-test-mutations-multiple-genes/</a></li>
|
||
<li>Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA): OneCare Media; c2022. Genetic Tests for Targeted Cancer Therapy; [modified 2021 May 13; cited 2022 Sep 8]; [about 11 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.testing.com/tests/genetic-tests-targeted-cancer-therapy/" target="bibliowin">https://www.testing.com/tests/genetic-tests-targeted-cancer-therapy/</a></li>
|
||
<li>University of Rochester Medical Center [Internet]. Rochester (NY): University of Rochester Medical Center; c2022. Health Encyclopedia: Melanoma: Targeted Therapy; [cited 2022 Aug 11]; [about 5 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=34&contentid=BMelT14" target="bibliowin">https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=34&contentid=BMelT14</a></li>
|
||
<li>Qin D. Next-generation sequencing and its clinical application. Cancer Biol Med. 2019 Feb (cited 2022 Sep 8);16(1):4-10. doi: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2018.0055. PMID: 31119042; PMCID: PMC6528456. Available from: <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6528456/" target="bibliowin">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6528456/</a></li>
|
||
<li>UW Health [Internet]. Madison (WI): University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority; c2022. Health Information: Skin Cancer, Melanoma: Topic Overview; [updated 2021 Sep 8; cited 2022 Aug 11]; [about 11 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://patient.uwhealth.org/healthwise/article/en-us/hw206547" target="bibliowin">https://patient.uwhealth.org/healthwise/article/en-us/hw206547</a></li>
|
||
<li>UW Health: American Family Children's Hospital [Internet]. Madison (WI): University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority; c2022. Kids Health: Biopsies; [updated 2019 Jul 1; cited 2022 Aug 11]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://patient.uwhealth.org/kidshealth/en/parents/biopsy.html/article" target="bibliowin">https://patient.uwhealth.org/kidshealth/en/parents/biopsy.html/article</a></li>
|
||
<li>Zial J, Hui P. BRAF mutation testing in clinical practice. Expert Rev Mol Diagn [Internet]. 2012 Mar [cited 2022 Aug 11]; 12(2): 127-38. Available from: <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22369373" target="bibliowin">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22369373</a></li>
|
||
</ol></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
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|
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|
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|
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<section><div class="side-section">
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<div class="section-header">
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<h2>Related Medical Tests</h2>
|
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</div>
|
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<div class="section-body">
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