Tempus Assay
Tempus Assay uses blood to clinically profile genomic information as part of cancer treatment.
Why this matters for rare cancers like PSCC
Less invasive sampling: For patients with rare cancers such as penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC), tumor tissue may be scarce or difficult to biopsy. A blood-based assay (liquid biopsy) can capture circulating tumor DNA when tissue is unavailable or when repeat sampling is unsafe.
Faster, broader genomic insight: Blood assays can profile multiple genomic alterations and emergent resistance mutations, helping clinicians consider targeted therapies or clinical trials sooner—critical when time and options are limited.
Monitoring over time: Serial blood testing can track treatment response or early relapse without repeated invasive procedures, enabling quicker adjustments to care.
Complementary, not replacement: Tissue-based sequencing remains the gold standard for some decisions. For PSCC, combining tissue and blood genomic data gives the most complete picture.
What to ask your care team
Is a liquid biopsy appropriate for my situation, and will it add information beyond tissue testing?
Which assay will be used, what genes or markers are covered, and how long until results?
Will results influence treatment options, eligibility for trials, or targeted therapies for PSCC?
How will the team monitor and act on changes detected by serial blood testing?
Limitations to keep in mind
Sensitivity varies: Low tumor DNA levels can produce false negatives.
Not all alterations are detectable in blood; some findings require tissue confirmation.
Clinical actionability depends on available targeted treatments or trials for the specific alterations found.
Advocacy tip
Ask for both tissue and blood genomic profiling when possible, and request interpretation in the context of PSCC. If your oncologist is unfamiliar with PSCC, insist on input from a sarcoma/rare-genitourinary cancer specialist or a molecular tumor board to maximize the utility of genomic results.
Image caption: Tempus Assay uses blood to clinically profile genomic information as part of cancer treatment.