1. Surgical removal of specimens. This specimen is complete and is the gold standard for molecular detection.
2. Tissue biopsy samples. Such samples are often taken from bronchoscopy, CT-guided tissue puncture, lymph node biopsy and so on. The results obtained by using this specimen for gene detection are reliable, and it is an alternative means when surgical samples cannot be obtained.
3. Cytological samples. Including pleural effusion, ascites, bronchial brush examination, sputum and so on. The method of obtaining specimens is minimally invasive and safe. However, this kind of specimen is often small, so it is necessary to evaluate the tumor cell content in the sample before genetic testing. The gene detection effect of samples with few tumor cells or tumor cells degeneration and necrosis is not good.
4. Blood samples. Blood samples are noninvasive and easy to collect, but there is a certain false negative rate.
In clinical diagnosis and treatment, each patient can choose different specimens. Therefore, it is very important to fully communicate with the management doctor and select the appropriate test specimens.