Nervous System Cancer Gene Panel Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About Nervous System Cancer Gene Panel Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Brain Cancer Gene Panel, CNS Tumour Gene Panel, Hereditary Brain Tumour Panel, Nervous System Tumour Susceptibility Panel |
| Sample Type | Peripheral blood (EDTA tube) |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required |
| Report Time | 25 days |
| Recommended For | All genders and ages; individuals with a personal or family history of brain or nervous system tumours |
| Price | Starting at ₹24,000 |
What Is a Nervous System Cancer Gene Panel Test?
The nervous system cancer gene panel test is a specialised genetic blood test that examines multiple genes at once to identify inherited mutations linked to brain and nervous system tumours. Doctors prescribe it when a patient or their close relatives have a history of nervous system cancers or related hereditary syndromes. A small blood sample is collected from a vein and analysed using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. It is also known as the brain cancer gene panel, CNS tumour gene panel, hereditary brain tumour panel, or nervous system tumour susceptibility panel.
What Does a Nervous System Cancer Gene Panel Test Measure?
This panel screens for inherited changes in genes that control cell growth in the brain and nervous system. Below are some of the key genes analysed and what they indicate:
| Gene | What It Does |
|---|---|
| NF1 | Regulates cell growth; mutations cause neurofibromatosis type 1 |
| NF2 | Produces a tumour suppressor protein; mutations cause vestibular schwannomas and meningiomas |
| TP53 | Protects genetic integrity; mutations linked to Li-Fraumeni syndrome and brain tumour risk |
| VHL | A tumour suppressor gene; mutations cause blood vessel tumours in the brain and spine |
| TSC1 and TSC2 | Mutations cause tuberous sclerosis complex with specific brain tumours |
| APC | Mutations linked to Turcot syndrome and medulloblastomas |
| PTCH1 | Mutations cause Gorlin syndrome with increased medulloblastoma risk |
| SMARCB1 and LZTR1 | Mutations associated with schwannomatosis (multiple nerve sheath tumours) |
The test can detect single nucleotide variants (point mutations in DNA), small insertions or deletions, and copy number variations (gains or losses of gene segments).
Why Is a Nervous System Cancer Gene Panel Test Done?
This test helps identify whether a person carries an inherited gene change that raises their risk of developing brain or nervous system tumours. It is ordered for diagnostic purposes and to guide family planning decisions.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
A doctor may suggest this test when a patient presents with one or more of the following:
- Persistent headaches that do not respond to routine treatment
- Unexplained seizures or fits
- Vision changes or gradual vision loss
- Hearing loss or problems with balance
- Skin changes such as café-au-lait spots or neurofibromas (benign nerve sheath growths)
- Cancer diagnosed before the age of 50
- More than one type of primary cancer in the same person
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The nervous system cancer gene panel test helps identify a range of hereditary syndromes. These include:
- Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), the most common neurogenetic disorder
- Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), which causes tumours on hearing and balance nerves
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome, linked to TP53 gene mutations and high cancer risk
- Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease, causing blood vessel tumours in the brain and spine
- Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)
- Gorlin syndrome, with increased risk of medulloblastoma
- Schwannomatosis (multiple nerve sheath tumours)
- Neuroblastoma susceptibility
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN1)
- Carney complex
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Preparing for this test is straightforward. The steps below will help you understand what to do before your appointment and what happens during sample collection.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required before this test. You may eat and drink normally before your appointment. Always follow specific instructions provided by your doctor.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Please keep the following in mind before attending your appointment:
- Bring a detailed clinical history including your symptoms, previous test results, and family history, as this is required for the test
- Carry your doctor's prescription and any relevant histopathology or imaging reports
- Prepare a family medical history noting which relatives have had cancer, the type of cancer, and their age at diagnosis
- Inform the laboratory if you have had a recent blood transfusion or bone marrow transplant, as donor DNA in the sample may affect results
- Consider speaking with a genetic counsellor before testing to understand what the results may mean for you and your family
- Wear a short-sleeved or loose-fitting top for easy access to the arm during blood collection
Step-by-Step Procedure
The sample collection process for the nervous system cancer gene panel test procedure involves the following steps:
- A trained phlebotomist (a professional who draws blood) will clean the skin on your inner arm with an antiseptic wipe.
- A small needle is inserted into a vein to draw approximately 2 ml of blood into a special EDTA collection tube.
- The collected sample is labelled carefully and stored at refrigeration temperature (2 to 8°C) for safe transport.
- The sample is sent to the laboratory, where technicians extract your DNA and analyse it using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology.
- Genetics experts review the sequencing data to identify any changes in the tested genes.
- A detailed report is prepared and sent to your ordering doctor, typically within 25 days.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Certain situations can affect the quality of the DNA sample or the accuracy of results. These include:
- Poor sample quality due to haemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells) or contamination
- Recent blood transfusions within the recommended waiting period
- Active or recent chemotherapy treatment within the past 120 days
- Improper storage or handling of the sample during transport
- Rare genetic variants that the test is not designed to detect
Understanding Your Nervous System Cancer Gene Panel Test Results
Results from this test are qualitative, meaning they describe the type of gene change found rather than a numerical value. Your doctor or a genetic counsellor will review the findings with you and explain what they mean in the context of your health and family history. The table below summarises how findings are generally classified:
| Result Category | Meaning |
|---|---|
| No pathogenic variant detected (Negative) | No inherited mutation identified in the genes tested; significantly reduces but does not eliminate hereditary risk |
| Pathogenic or Likely Pathogenic variant | An inherited mutation is present; indicates a confirmed or probable hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome |
| Variant of Uncertain Significance (VUS) | A change was found, but there is insufficient evidence to classify it as harmful or harmless; may be reclassified as more data becomes available |
| Benign or Likely Benign variant | A change was found but is not considered clinically significant |
Disclaimer: These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
While genetic results cannot be changed, the following steps help manage risk after a positive finding:
- Engage in regular follow-up with a specialist experienced in hereditary cancer syndromes.
- Follow the surveillance protocols recommended for your specific syndrome, such as periodic MRI scans if you carry an NF2 mutation.
- Encourage first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, and children) to discuss genetic testing with their own doctors, as inherited mutations can affect the whole family.
Lupin Diagnostics Nervous System Cancer Gene Panel Test Price
The nervous system cancer gene panel test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹24,000. This test requires a visit to a Lupin Diagnostics centre; home collection is not available for this test. The table below shows indicative prices:
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 24000 |
| CHENNAI | 24000 |
| HYDERABAD | 24000 |
| KOLKATA | 24000 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 24000 |
| PUNE | 24000 |
Disclaimer: Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
Follow these steps for nervous system cancer gene panel test online booking:
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time for sample collection.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Frequently Asked Questions
This test identifies inherited gene mutations that increase a person's risk of developing brain and nervous system tumours. It is used to assess hereditary cancer risk, guide surveillance planning, and inform family members who may also carry a mutation. It does not diagnose an active tumour.
This test is recommended for individuals with a personal or family history suggestive of a hereditary brain or nervous system tumour syndrome. Key indicators include cancer diagnosed before the age of 50, more than one primary cancer in a single person, or multiple affected relatives. A doctor or genetic counsellor can advise whether the test is appropriate for you.
No fasting is required. You may eat and drink as normal before your appointment. However, if your doctor has ordered additional tests alongside this test, fasting may be required for those specific tests. Always follow the instructions given by your doctor or the diagnostic centre at the time of booking.
The nervous system cancer gene panel test has a report turnaround time of 25 days at Lupin Diagnostics. The test results are delivered via email or WhatsApp.
A positive result means an inherited mutation has been identified in one of the tested genes. This has implications not just for you, but also for your close relatives, who may carry the same mutation. It is advisable to share results with your doctor and consider referring first-degree relatives for genetic counselling and testing.
A negative result significantly reduces the likelihood of a hereditary nervous system cancer syndrome covered by this panel. However, it does not completely eliminate all hereditary risk, as the test may not cover every possible gene or variant linked to these conditions. Your doctor or genetic counsellor can help put the result in the context of your full clinical and family history.
Genetic counselling is strongly advisable before and after this test. A genetic counsellor helps you understand the implications of testing, prepare your family history information, and interpret your results in a way that guides appropriate next steps. Ask your doctor for a referral if you have not already spoken to a counsellor.
Nervous System Cancer Gene Panel Test: Booking, Price, and Results
