Test to Assess Risk of Cancer Recurrence

Home » Cancer Tests » Recurrence Tests

Cancer Recurrence

After initial cancer treatment, one of the most difficult questions patients often face is whether the cancer is likely to come back. A number of tests have been developed to help estimate this risk more precisely. These tests do not predict the future with certainty, but they can provide useful information about the biological behaviour of a tumour and the probability of recurrence over time.

Some recurrence-risk tests are already used in mainstream oncology for specific cancers, particularly certain types of breast and prostate cancer. They are most often used to help guide decisions about whether additional treatment, such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy, is likely to offer meaningful benefit after surgery or other primary treatment.

What tests are available and where can I get one?

Prostate Cancer – Risk of Recurrence

Tests are available from:

Oncotype DX® Prostate Cancer Assay
Test available from: Oncotypeiq

The Oncotype DX Genomic Prostate Score (GPS) assay is the only genomic assay designed for men with clinically low-risk cancer to help make treatment decisions at the time of diagnosis. The assay analyzes prostate cancer gene activity to predict disease aggressiveness. Article source: Oncotypeiq

Breast Cancer Risk of Recurrence

Tests are available from:

Oncotype DX® Breast Cancer Assay
Available from: Your oncologist in Ireland or Oncotypeiq

The Oncotype DX® Breast Cancer Assay can help physicians and patients decide on the best course of treatment. For invasive breast cancer, the Oncotype DX Breast Cancer Assay predicts chemotherapy benefit and the likelihood of distant breast cancer recurrence. The Oncotype DX Breast Cancer Assay for DCIS patients predicts the risk of local recurrence.
Article source: Oncotypeiq

MammaPrint
Available from: Agendia.com (through your physician).
Agendia’s MammaPrint is a test which determines how aggressive a breast cancer tumour is. The MammaPrint result will enable your physician to determine what would be the best kind of treatment for you following your operation.
Source: agendia.com

Prosigna™
Available from: Nanostring Technologies (through your physician).
Prosigna provides a risk category and numerical score for assessment of the risk of distant recurrence of disease at 10 years in postmenopausal women with node-negative (Stage I or II) or node-positive (Stage II), hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer.

The Prosigna Assay will be available for diagnostic use when ordered by a physician in the U.S. The Prosigna Assay has been CE-marked and is available for use by healthcare professionals in the European Union and other countries that recognize the CE Mark and in which Prosigna is registered. Source: Nanostring Technologies

EndoPredict
Available from: Myriad Genetics Inc. EndoPredict is a 2nd generation breast cancer recurrence test for highly accurate assessment of 10-year risk of distant recurrence. Both gene expression with clinicopathological features are integrated into the EndoPredict test result to provide improved prognostic performance. EndoPredict is appropriate for women with:

  • early-stage invasive breast cancer (ref Filipits)
  • ER+, HER2− receptor status (ref Filipits)
  • node-negative (N0) and node-positive (N1)
    Source: endopredictusa.com

Colon Cancer – Risk of Recurrence

Tests are available from:

Oncotype DX® Colon Cancer Assay
Test available from: Oncotypeiq

The Oncotype DX® Colon Cancer Assay quantifies recurrence risk in stage II and stage III colon cancer, beyond traditional qualitative measures. This enables an individualized approach to treatment planning. The Oncotype DX test measures a group of cancer genes in the tumor, providing a quantitative Recurrence Score® result beyond traditional measures so physicians and patients can have a more complete discussion of recurrence risk.The Oncotype DX® Recurrence Score® result, when combined with mismatch repair status and T-stage, provides an individualized, quantitative and reproducible assessment of recurrence risk to help guide treatment decision-making for patients with stage II and stage III colon cancer.
Article source: Oncotypeiq

Last updated January 2026