RAK hospital adopts affordable, time-saving DNA-based tumor test

Waiting for three months to get the result of a costly DNA based tumor test has become history with the same sophisticated test being done in a hospital here.
The Shaikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital in Ras Al Khaimah has started using DNA in its tumor lab diagnosis, which is one of the most advanced genetic oncology tests in the UAE.
Dr Byoung Kwon Kim, Deputy CMO and Head of Pathology Department, said the hospital purchased advanced testing machines and made its first tests in the labs by using DNA "genetic series using human genomes".
"The new test reveals birth defects and common genetic factors. Science proved that some diseases especially colon cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer and thyroid cancer have genetic factors."
DNA tests will enable the physicians in the hospital to identify and analyze genetic variants for all patients; which gives important information about the mutations in men and women genetic factors, he added.
"This new technique will facilitate accurate diagnosis for patients and enable the hospital to put effective strategies and targeted therapy."
Dr Kim noted that the genetic sequence enables the physicians to find out if the individual has a predisposition to carry various tumors and would also be a guide to family members to prevent genetic diagnosis before any transplant or genetic tests especially in cancer diseases.
"These costly tests that were done abroad take three months' time, but this is no more with this technology being adopted here, as the results will be handed over to the physicians in three days only."
With less cost, the test will reduce the financial burdens for patients and they can take the accurate results in a short time; the new tests can also be used for scientific research purposes and would lead to genetic diseases in the country, Dr Kim pointed out.
"The tumor screening technology through genetic series will improve the examination standards and treatment level with extreme precision and achieve better results for patients by treating tumors in the best methods."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ras Al Khaimah