multiple-gene test

A laboratory test in which many genes are studied in a sample of tissue. Multiple-gene tests help find mutations (changes) in certain genes that may increase a person’s risk of a disease such as cancer. They may also look at the activity of certain genes in a sample of tissue. Multiple-gene tests may be used to help plan treatment or help predict whether cancer will spread to other parts of the body or come back. Also called multigene test and multiple-gene panel test.