NIH researchers found that abnormal prenatal cfDNA testing results in pregnant individuals led to the detection of previously undetected cancers in nearly half of cases. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, identified cancers such as colorectal, breast, lung, and pancreatic cancers in addition to lymphoma and renal carcinoma. The testing method also revealed other issues such as fibroids, placental abnormalities, and potential precancerous conditions. Whole-body MRI was found to be the most effective method for cancer detection in this population. Further research is needed to validate sequencing patterns that could indicate cancer in pregnant people with no apparent symptoms.
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Prenatal cfDNA testing uncovers hidden cancers in pregnant individuals
