By Dr. Rajesh Bollam
January 12, 2026
Genetic Testing in Hematologic Cancers: Who Needs It and Why It Matters
In recent years, genetic testing has revolutionised the way blood cancers are diagnosed and treated. In the past, leukaemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma were classified mainly by how cancer cells looked under a microscope.
Today, doctors understand that what truly determines how a cancer behaves is not just its appearance, but its genetic makeup.
Today, doctors understand that what truly determines how a cancer behaves is not just its appearance, but its genetic makeup.
Each blood cancer carries specific genetic mutations in its cells. These errors control how fast the cancer grows, how it spreads, and how it responds to treatment.
By identifying these changes through genetic testing for cancer, oncologists can choose therapies that directly attack the cancer at its source. This is why genetic testing is now the foundation of modern precision oncology.
By identifying these changes through genetic testing for cancer, oncologists can choose therapies that directly attack the cancer at its source. This is why genetic testing is now the foundation of modern precision oncology.
With the rapid growth of precision medicine and genetic testing in India, patients no longer have to depend on trial-and-error chemotherapy. Hospitals can now offer therapies based on a patient’s unique molecular profile, leading to better survival, fewer side effects, and improved quality of life.
What Is Genetic Testing in Hematologic Cancers?
Many patients ask, what is genetic testing when they are diagnosed with blood cancer. It refers to the advanced laboratory analysis of DNA, chromosomes, and specific genes taken from blood, bone marrow, or cancer cells.
This testing identifies:
- Mutations
- Missing or extra DNA
- Rearranged chromosomes
- Abnormal gene activity
These genetic abnormalities are what drive cancer growth, treatment resistance, and relapse. Through haematology genetic testing, doctors can see exactly what is fueling the disease.
Unlike inherited DNA testing, genetic testing for disease focuses on the cancer’s DNA, not the patient’s entire genetic makeup. This allows doctors to select medicines that block specific molecular pathways that keep the cancer alive.
Common Genetic Abnormalities Tested
Some of the most important genetic changes detected using modern types of genetic testing include:
- BCR-ABL fusion gene in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)
- FLT3 and NPM1 mutations in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)
- JAK2 mutations in myeloproliferative neoplasms
- TP53 mutations that cause chemotherapy resistance
These findings are obtained using cytogenetics, molecular diagnostics, and next-generation sequencing, all advanced types of genetic testing used in modern cancer care.
Who Needs Genetic Testing?
Not every patient needs extensive testing, but genetic testing for cancer is essential for:
- Newly diagnosed blood cancer patients
- Patients not responding to treatment
- Patients with family history of cancer
- Relapsed or post-transplant patients
Your haematologist decides the right types of genetic testing based on cancer stage, subtype, and treatment response.
Why Genetic Testing Matters
The benefits of genetic testing in hematologic cancers are life-changing:
1. Accurate Diagnosis
Genetic testing confirms the exact cancer subtype, preventing wrong or delayed treatment.
2. Personalised Treatment
Through genetic testing for disease, doctors prescribe targeted therapies that destroy cancer cells while protecting healthy tissue.
3. Prognosis Prediction
Genetic profiles tell doctors how aggressive the cancer is and whether intensive treatment is needed.
4. Early Relapse Detection
Advanced genetic testing detects minimal residual disease (MRD) before symptoms appear.
5. Family Protection
Inherited cancer risk can be identified early, allowing relatives to undergo preventive screening.
How Genetic Testing Changes Treatment
Modern genetic testing for cancer directly determines which drugs are used:
- CML patients with BCR-ABL respond dramatically to imatinib
- AML patients with FLT3 mutations benefit from FLT3 inhibitors
- Myeloma patients with high-risk genetics receive stronger or newer therapies
This precision-based approach is only possible through advanced haematology genetic testing.
Cost, Accessibility & Testing Options
Patients often ask about genetic DNA testing cost, the availability of a genetic testing kit, and genetic testing cost in India.
Today, genetic testing in India is widely available through accredited molecular labs. Costs depend on:
- Number of genes tested
- Technology used (PCR, FISH, NGS)
- Cancer type
Some tests are affordable, while large genomic panels cost more. Doctors order only what is medically necessary for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
The Future of Blood Cancer Care
The future of oncology lies in expanding haematology genetic testing. Scientists are discovering new genetic targets every year, allowing doctors to design therapies that are safer, more effective, and precisely matched to each patient’s cancer biology.
With continued advances in genetic testing for disease, doctors will soon be able to predict which therapy will work best before treatment even begins.
Genetic Testing Might Be the Key to Winning the Fight Against Blood Cancer
Genetic testing has become the backbone of modern blood cancer care. Through genetic testing for cancer, doctors can see beyond the microscope and understand the true biological drivers of each patient’s disease.
This enables precise treatment selection, improved response monitoring, and protection for family members who may be at inherited risk. In today’s era of precision medicine, the benefits of genetic testing give patients the strongest chance for long-term remission, improved quality of life, and survival, turning blood cancer from a life-threatening diagnosis into a manageable and often curable condition.
This enables precise treatment selection, improved response monitoring, and protection for family members who may be at inherited risk. In today’s era of precision medicine, the benefits of genetic testing give patients the strongest chance for long-term remission, improved quality of life, and survival, turning blood cancer from a life-threatening diagnosis into a manageable and often curable condition.
Renova Hospitals offers comprehensive cancer evaluation, specialist consultations, and evidence-based treatment for blood cancers under the care of Dr. Rajesh Bollam, European-certified Medical Oncologist. Early diagnosis and the right medical guidance can make a life-saving difference.
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