If you've been diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer, an HRD test can provide some important clarity, showing how your tumor may respond to certain treatments.

That’s why it's recommended you get an HRD test as soon as possible after your diagnosis. If you didn’t get an HRD test at that time, you may still be able to get tested.

An HRD test requires a tumor tissue sample, taken through a biopsy or during surgery. Your healthcare team may be able to use tissue from your original biopsy to conduct the HRD test. You may not need an additional procedure. Your healthcare team can give you guidance.

What Is HRD?

HRD stands for homologous recombination deficiency. That sounds like a complicated term, but the basic idea is simple: HRD means cells can’t repair certain types of DNA damage. HRD can be determined by the presence of individual mutations in breast cancer susceptibility genes 1 or 2 (BRCA1 or BRCA2) and/or instability in cells, which can lead to cancer.

The important thing to understand is that HRD affects how cancer cells grow, die, and respond to different treatments. This makes HRD an important biomarker—a measure of what's happening inside a patient's body. Your tumor's HRD status—either positive or negative—gives your doctor a deeper understanding of the specific characteristics of advanced ovarian cancer in your body. This can help them determine what treatments may be most effective for you.

An HRD test will also identify BRCA gene mutations, which can inform treatment options and indicate your risk of developing other cancers.

What Is HRD?

HRD stands for homologous recombination deficiency. That sounds like a complicated term, but the basic idea is simple: HRD means cells can’t repair certain types of DNA damage. HRD can be determined by the presence of individual mutations in breast cancer susceptibility genes 1 or 2 (BRCA1 or BRCA2) and/or instability in cells, which can lead to cancer.

The important thing to understand is that HRD affects how cancer cells grow, die, and respond to different treatments. This makes HRD an important biomarker—a measure of what's happening inside a patient's body. Your tumor's HRD status—either positive or negative—gives your doctor a deeper understanding of the specific characteristics of advanced ovarian cancer in your body. This can help them determine what treatments may be most effective for you.

Tumor Testing vs. Genetic Testing

You might hear some unfamiliar terms when you talk to your doctor about testing. There are multiple types of tests, and they provide different sorts of information.

Tumor Testing

(aka Genomic Testing, Biomarker Testing, Somatic Testing) 

Genetic Testing

(aka Germline Genetic Testing, Hereditary Testing)

What is it?

Tumor Testing

(aka Genomic Testing, Biomarker Testing, Somatic Testing) 

Examination of the genes and proteins of your tumor cells to find acquired mutations

Genetic Testing

(aka Germline Genetic Testing, Hereditary Testing)

Examination of specific genes in your own DNA, inherited from your parents

What can it do?

Tumor Testing

(aka Genomic Testing, Biomarker Testing, Somatic Testing) 

Identify changes and mutations that affect tumor growth and other cancer behaviors and inform treatment recommendations for certain cancers

Genetic Testing

(aka Germline Genetic Testing, Hereditary Testing)

Identify mutations that may indicate risks of developing certain diseases, including some cancers, and can also inform treatment decisions in patients with cancer

What’s an example?

Tumor Testing

(aka Genomic Testing, Biomarker Testing, Somatic Testing) 

HRD testing, which can inform ovarian cancer treatment
recommendations

Genetic Testing

(aka Germline Genetic Testing, Hereditary Testing)

BRCA testing, which can assess risk of developing ovarian or breast cancer and can also inform treatment decisions if you have cancer

What’s involved?

Tumor Testing

(aka Genomic Testing, Biomarker Testing, Somatic Testing) 

Taking a tumor sample, often as part of a biopsy used for diagnosis

Genetic Testing

(aka Germline Genetic Testing, Hereditary Testing)

Taking a blood or saliva sample