New Genetic Test Helps Personalize Skin Cancer Care at Richmond ENT
At Richmond ENT, we are committed to bringing our patients the most advanced tools available for the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer. One of these tools is the DecisionDx-SCC test, which uses information from your tumor’s genes to help predict how aggressive a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) may be.
What is DecisionDx-SCC?
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer. While many cases are successfully removed with surgery, some tumors can come back or spread. The DecisionDx-SCC test looks at the activity of 40 different genes in the tumor. This genetic “fingerprint” helps us understand whether a patient is at low, moderate, or higher risk of their cancer returning or spreading. See recent clinical trial results
Why is this important?
Traditional methods of staging skin cancers—like measuring the size or depth of a tumor—don’t always give the full picture. DecisionDx-SCC adds an extra layer of precision, so your care can be more personalized:
- Low-risk patients may be safely monitored without unnecessary treatments.
- Higher-risk patients may benefit from closer follow-up, imaging, or additional therapies to reduce the chance of recurrence.
How does this help patients?
Recent studies have shown that DecisionDx-SCC is more accurate than older staging systems at predicting which patients need extra care. This means fewer patients are over-treated, and those who truly need additional therapy can receive it sooner.
What patients often ask:
- What kind of test is DecisionDx-SCC?
It is performed on a small sample of the skin cancer tumor that has already been removed during surgery or biopsy. No extra procedure is needed. - Does this replace surgery or other treatments?
No. Surgery is still the first step in treating most squamous cell skin cancers. The test helps us decide whether additional follow-up or treatments are needed afterward. - How will the results help me?
The test results sort patients into low-, moderate-, or higher-risk groups. This helps your doctor decide whether you simply need routine checkups or whether closer monitoring, imaging, or added treatments may be helpful. - Does insurance cover the test?
Many insurance plans cover DecisionDx-SCC. We will work with you and your insurance company to minimize any out-of-pocket cost. - Is the test safe?
Yes. The test uses tissue already removed during surgery or biopsy, so there is no added risk.
Our commitment:
At Richmond ENT, we use DecisionDx-SCC to guide personalized care for our skin cancer patients. By combining advanced genetic testing with expert surgical treatment, we give you the best chance of cure while avoiding unnecessary procedures.