Molecular Diagnostics: Understanding Your Illness at the Deepest Level
In today's world of cancer care, understanding why a disease happens is just as important as how to treat it. Dr. Aparna Dhar specializes in molecular diagnostics, a powerful branch of medicine that looks into your DNA to find answers that can guide your treatment and even help protect your loved ones.
What Is Molecular Diagnostics - and Why It Matters to You
Molecular diagnostics is a set of advanced medical tests that analyze your genes, proteins, and other molecules to understand the exact cause of disease. In the case of cancer, these tests can uncover what's driving the tumor to grow, whether the cancer is inherited, how likely it is to return, and which treatments might work best for you.
For patients and their families, this information can be life-changing. It helps:
Catch certain cancers early
Choose treatments with fewer side effects
Avoid unnecessary chemotherapy
Understand the risk to children or siblings
Monitor disease progression with precision
Dr. Dhar's work helps remove the guesswork - giving you and your doctors clear, personalized information to make the best medical decisions.
What Kinds of Tests Does Dr. Dhar Offer?
Depending on your condition and medical history, Dr. Dhar may recommend one or more of the following tests. These are usually done using a small sample of blood, saliva, or tissue:
Genetic Testing for Hereditary Cancer: Helps
determine if you or your family members carry inherited mutations that increase the risk for
cancers like breast, ovarian, colon, prostate, or pancreatic cancer.
Example: BRCA1/2, Lynch
Syndrome, TP53 (Li-Fraumeni Syndrome).
Tumor Genetic Profiling (Somatic Testing):
Looks inside your tumor cells to find mutations that are specific to the cancer - not passed down
from your parents. This test helps identify targeted therapies and immunotherapy options that
are more likely to work for your cancer type.
Example: EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, ALK, HER2 mutations.
Liquid Biopsy (Non-Invasive Blood Test): A simple blood test that detects tumor DNA floating in the blood. It's helpful for monitoring cancer during or after treatment - especially if tissue biopsy is risky or not possible.
Whole Exome or Whole Genome Sequencing: For complex or rare cancers, Dr. Dhar may recommend deeper genetic analysis to uncover hidden causes or match you with clinical trials and newer treatment approaches.
How Are Results Analyzed and Explained?
Genetic reports can feel overwhelming. That's where Dr. Dhar's expertise really makes a difference.
She personally reviews every test result - looking not just at what's written, but at what it means for you.
Her process includes:
Classifying Your Results: Genetic changes are reviewed and categorized as harmful, likely harmful, or harmless - based on the latest global research.
Clinical Correlation: Dr. Dhar studies your medical history, family background, cancer type, and stage to see how the findings fit together.
Treatment Recommendations: If a mutation is linked to a specific drug or therapy, this is clearly mentioned in the report so your oncologist can plan the best course.
Family Risk Assessment: If something is inherited, she advises whether other family members should also get tested and what preventive steps they can take.
Patient Counselling That Goes Beyond the Report
Getting a genetic report can be emotional, especially when it involves cancer or family health. Dr. Dhar personally meets with you to walk through your results in a calm, compassionate way.
During your consultation, she will:
Break down complex genetic language into simple explanations
Discuss what the results mean for your current treatment or future health
Help you decide whether further tests or family screenings are needed
Provide support and resources to cope with your results
Her goal is to ensure you don't just receive a report - you understand it, feel supported, and know what steps to take next.
When Should You Consider Molecular Testing?
You might benefit from these tests if:
You were diagnosed with cancer at a young age (under 50)
There's a strong family history of cancer
Your cancer is rare or aggressive
Your treatment is not working as expected
You want to explore advanced treatment options like targeted therapy or immunotherapy
You are planning for cancer prevention (yourself or family)
Empowering You with Knowledge and Choices
Molecular diagnostics is not just about lab work - it's about giving you control over your health. Dr. Aparna Dhar believes that every patient deserves access to advanced, personalized care that's based on science and delivered with empathy.
From helping you understand your genetic risks to guiding you through treatment options and family planning, her mission is to support you at every step - with clarity, kindness, and care.