The possibilities of molecular testing of somatic aberrations in tumor tissue using NGS in routine practice - current situation in the Czech Republic
Abstract
Molecular testing of tumor tissue for the detection of somatic aberrations using NGS is increasingly gaining significance in routine practice. The technical aspects of testing are standardized and currently do not pose a problem.
However, the situation is evolving very rapidly regarding the indication of testing, which depends on the sometimes rapidly developing medical knowledge and needs in clinical practice. In order to implement NGS testing in practice and arrange its reimbursement by the health care system, first it is necessary to reach an agreement on the level of professional societies concerning the definition of priority and medically clearly justified areas in which molecular testing has a clear impact on therapeutical choices.
The next step is to reach an agreement with the health insurance companies regarding NGS testing. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the issue of routine tumor tissue testing using the NGS method covered by public health insurance, with a summary of the current situation in the Czech Republic.
Only the testing of somatic aberrations in solid tumors performed at pathology departments is discussed. The issue of testing in haemato-oncological centres is not the subject of this review.