Test to Assess Risk of 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.
available Cancer Recurrence tests
Prostate Cancer – Risk of Recurrence
Genomic Prostate Score (GPS)
Just as every patient is different, so is every prostate cancer tumor. The GPS test uses genomics to give you and your doctor important risk information about how your individual tumor will likely behave. Valuable insights include:
- How aggressive your cancer is
- How likely you are to die from your cancer within 10 years of surgery
- How likely your cancer is to spread to other parts of your body (metastasis)
within 10 years of surgery
Your GPS result can help you and your doctor determine what type of treatment is right for you based on your tumor’s characteristics.
Test available from: mdxhealth.com
Breast Cancer Risk of Recurrence
Oncotype DX® Breast Cancer Assay
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.
Test available from: precision oncology (or your oncologist in Ireland)
MammaPrint
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.
Test available from: Agendia.com (through your physician).
EndoPredict
EndoPredict is a genomic test that accurately predicts the risk of recurrence in early-stage ER-positive, HER2-negative (ER+/HER2–) breast cancer – up to 15 years after diagnosis.1,2 It also indicates whether a patient is likely to benefit from chemotherapy,3,4 helping guide truly personalized treatment decisions.
Test available from: eurobio scientific
Colon Cancer – Risk of Recurrence
Oncotype DX® Colon Cancer Assay
The Oncotype DX Colon Recurrence Score® test takes you beyond traditional measurements to predict each patient’s individualized risk of recurrence.
Test available from: Precision Oncology
Last updated May 2026