A liquid biopsy is a blood test that looks for cancer-related genetic material — fragments of tumour DNA and cancer cells — circulating in the bloodstream. It offers a way to gather important molecular information without always needing a tissue sample.

At Indian OncoCare, liquid-biopsy testing is guided and interpreted by Dr. Harish Kancharla, DM (Medical Oncology, AIIMS Delhi), MD (Internal Medicine, PGIMER Chandigarh), Senior Consultant – Medical Oncology & Hemato-Oncology at Yashoda Hospitals, Somajiguda, Hyderabad.

What a liquid biopsy can do

From a simple blood draw, a liquid biopsy can help to:

Detect key mutations when a tissue biopsy is difficult, unsafe or insufficient
Monitor how a cancer is responding to treatment over time
Detect resistance mutations that emerge during treatment (for example in lung cancer), so therapy can be changed
Look for traces of residual disease in certain situations

How it fits with tissue testing

A liquid biopsy complements, rather than fully replaces, a tissue biopsy and molecular oncology testing. Tissue remains the reference standard for many decisions, but a blood test can be quicker, repeatable and less invasive — valuable when tissue is limited or when a cancer needs monitoring over time. It is one of the tools that make precision medicine possible, and is particularly useful in cancers such as lung cancer.

Why choose Indian OncoCare

Knowing when a liquid biopsy adds value — and how to act on the result — is where specialist judgement matters. Dr. Harish Kancharla, DM (Medical Oncology, AIIMS Delhi), MD (Internal Medicine, PGIMER Chandigarh) advises on the right test at the right time, delivered through Yashoda Hospitals, Somajiguda, Hyderabad. Learn more about molecular oncology and precision medicine.

Support for patients and families

A cancer diagnosis affects the whole family, and practical support matters as much as medical treatment. Our patient support resources help you prepare for consultations and understand each step, while our financial guidance can help you understand treatment costs and the insurance or assistance options that may be available.

You can find more guidance and checklists in our patient resources section. Patients travelling from outside Hyderabad or from abroad usually begin with an online consultation before continuing in person — see our international patients page for how this is coordinated.

Frequently asked questions

Can a liquid biopsy replace a tissue biopsy?

Not entirely. It is a valuable complement, useful when tissue is limited or for monitoring, but tissue remains the standard for many diagnoses.

Is it just a blood test?

Yes — it uses a blood sample, which makes it less invasive and repeatable.

When is it most useful?

When tissue is hard to obtain, when checking for resistance during treatment, or when repeated monitoring is helpful.

Who advises whether I need one?

Dr. Harish Kancharla, DM (Medical Oncology, AIIMS Delhi), MD (Internal Medicine, PGIMER Chandigarh) advises on and interprets liquid-biopsy testing personally.