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Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Neha Gupta ( Medical Oncology)
A precision oncology guide on liquid biopsy ctDNA next-generation sequencing in non-small cell lung cancer, evaluating EGFR/ALK drivers, Osimertinib resistance mechanisms (C797S, MET), and minimal residual disease tracking.
CRITICAL CLINICAL RED FLAG: In patients on targeted TKIs for metastatic EGFR/ALK NSCLC, asymptomatic molecular disease progression can precede radiographic RECIST enlargement by 2 to 6 months; serial ctDNA liquid biopsy enables early intervention before symptomatic clinical deterioration.
While tissue biopsy remains the gold standard for initial histological diagnosis of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), up to 30% of patients have insufficient or inaccessible tissue for comprehensive biomarker testing. Liquid biopsy via cell-free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) overcomes spatial tumor heterogeneity and provides rapid, non-invasive genomic profiling with turnaround times under 7 to 10 days.
First-Line Driver Mapping: Detects classic EGFR (Exon 19 del, L858R), ALK/ROS1 fusions, RET fusions, MET Exon 14 skipping, BRAF V600E, and KRAS G12C mutations.
Resistance Mechanism Tracking: Identifies secondary resistance mutations following Osimertinib failure, including EGFR C797S, MET amplification, and small cell histological transformation.
Minimal Residual Disease (MRD): Post-surgical ctDNA clearance predicts curative resection vs. high risk of distant metastatic relapse in early-stage NSCLC.
In resected Stage IB-IIIA EGFR-mutated NSCLC, patients who remain ctDNA-positive following surgical resection and adjuvant Osimertinib demonstrate imminent micrometastatic recurrence. Serial plasma monitoring enables personalized treatment intensification or switch therapies months before lesions appear on PET-CT scans.
"Liquid biopsy is not just a diagnostic tool; it is a real-time molecular window into tumor clonal evolution, allowing us to anticipate and neutralize drug resistance before cancer spreads." — Dr. Neha Gupta
According to ASCO and IASLC guidelines:
Positive ctDNA result: Actionable and sufficient to immediately initiate targeted TKI therapy without requiring repeat invasive tissue biopsy.
Negative ctDNA result: Requires tissue biopsy confirmation (reflex testing) due to potential false negatives in low-shedding or intracranial-only lesions.
1. Rolfo C, Mack P, Scagliotti GV, et al. Liquid Biopsy for Advanced NSCLC: A Consensus Statement From the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC). Journal of Thoracic Oncology (JTO), 2021; 16(10): 1647-1662.
2. Tsuboi M, Herbst RS, John T, et al. Overall Survival with Osimertinib in Resected EGFR-Mutated NSCLC (ADAURA Trial). New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), 2023; 389: 137-147.
3. Lindeman NI, Cagle PT, Aisner DL, et al. Updated Molecular Testing Guideline for the Selection of Lung Cancer Patients for Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: Guideline from CAP, IASLC, and AMP. Arch Pathol Lab Med, 2018; 142(3): 321-346.
Senior Consultant & Clinical Director — Medical Oncology
MBBS (BFUHS Faridkot), MD Radiation Oncology (BFUHS Faridkot), DrNB Medical Oncology (Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad), Precision Oncology (Harvard, USA), Ex Consultant RGCI New Delhi
13+ Years Experience
Spica — Grover Hospital
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Proprietary surgical methodologies and precision protocols pioneered by our senior directors to minimize trauma, protect natural anatomy, and accelerate recovery.
Dr. Deepak Garg (Orthopaedic Surgical Oncology - RGCI Delhi Trained) and Dr. Neha Gupta (Medical Oncology) co-lead the Bone Cancer & Sarcoma Center at Spica Healthcare. Integrating intensive multi-agent neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocols (MAP: High-Dose Methotrexate, Doxorubicin, Cisplatin for Osteosarcoma; VIDE: Vincristine, Ifosfamide, Doxorubicin, Etoposide for Ewing Sarcoma) with 3D computer-navigated limb salvage surgery and modular titanium megaprosthetic joint reconstruction, 5-year survival rates exceed 75% to 80% while saving over 95% of patients from limb amputation.
Spica Healthcare — Bone and Cancer Institute, Bathinda — is South-Western Punjab's premier super-speciality centre led by AIIMS and Tata Memorial fellowship-trained directors.
Every diagnostic MRI review, surgical staging, and operation is personally directed by chief clinical specialists — Dr. Deepak Garg (Orthopaedic Oncology & Robotics) and Dr. Neha Gupta (Medical Oncology) — guaranteeing zero junior proxies.
Sub-millimeter implant positioning and soft-tissue ligament balancing ensuring patients walk comfortably within 24 hours of total knee replacement.
South-West Punjab's only dedicated centre for modular titanium megaprosthesis, saving natural limbs and functions in 95%+ of bone cancer patients.
Full cashless coverage for Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY), Punjab Govt Health Schemes, ECHS, and 30+ private insurance networks with on-desk approvals.
Positive-pressure HEPA filtered theatres minimizing infection rates below international benchmarks with 24/7 dedicated critical care backup.
Fellowship-trained surgical directors from AIIMS & Tata Memorial providing compassionate, world-class tertiary care in super-speciality orthopaedics and medical oncology.
Senior Consultant & Clinical Director — Medical Oncology
MBBS (BFUHS Faridkot), MD Radiation Oncology (BFUHS Faridkot), DrNB Medical Oncology (Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad), Precision Oncology (Harvard, USA), Ex Consultant RGCI New Delhi
Senior Consultant & Clinical Director — Orthopaedic Oncology & Robotic Joint Surgery
16+ Yrs ExpSenior Consultant & Clinical Director — Orthopaedic Oncology & Robotic Joint Surgery
MBBS (TNMC Mumbai), DNB Orthopaedics (PGI & SP Miraj), Fellowship Arthroplasty and Arthroscopy (Fortis Hospital, New Delhi), Fellowship Orthopaedic Oncology (Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute, New Delhi)
Free OPD screening camps, director-led masterclasses, and national oncology representations by Spica Healthcare.
National Master Course in Musculoskeletal Oncology held in Varca, Goa, organized by HBCH & RC, New Chandigarh (Tata Memorial Centre) and Sarcoma Education Foundation in academic partnership with IMSOS, featuring Dr. Deepak Garg.
Join Dr. Deepak Garg at Grover Hospital Bathinda for a comprehensive free joint and bone health camp featuring free BMD scans, arthritis staging, and expert clinical consultations.
13th Annual Conference of API Malwa Branch (MAPICON 2026) in Bathinda featuring SPICA Healthcare directors Dr. Deepak Garg and Dr. Neha Gupta delivering guest faculty lectures on limb salvage surgery in bone cancer and advances in systemic cancer treatment.
A state-level continuing medical education conference and surgical video masterclass on modern limb-salvage surgery and precision oncology for orthopaedic surgeons and postgraduates.
A dedicated community cancer awareness drive and free screening camp led by Dr. Neha Gupta focusing on early breast and cervical cancer detection for women in Malwa region.
Join Dr. Deepak Garg for an interactive live online webinar explaining modern muscle-sparing knee and hip replacement, zero-pain recoveries, and live patient question answers.
Real stories from patients who recovered through limb preservation surgery, 3D robotic joint replacements, and precision cancer care at Spica Healthcare — Grover Hospital, Bathinda.
“After completing ovarian cancer chemotherapy, genetic testing by Dr. Neha Gupta revealed a BRCA gene mutation. She placed me on oral Olaparib maintenance tablets at home. My CA-125 is completely normal at 8 U/mL and my scans show zero evidence of disease after 2 years!”
Faridkot — Verified Recovery
“An L5-S1 disc herniation caused shooting electric pain down my left leg, leaving me unable to stand straight for 2 months. Dr. Deepak Garg performed Micro-Endoscopic Discectomy through a 16mm keyhole port without any spinal fusion or screws. The shooting pain disappeared immediately upon waking up, and I was discharged the next morning!”
Bathinda — Verified Recovery
“When diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer, I was terrified of chemotherapy nausea and hair loss. Dr. Neha Gupta's daycare unit used a chemoport and scalp-cooling caps. I had zero vomiting, walked out each afternoon to sleep in my own bed, and completed targeted Trastuzumab with complete cancer clearance!”
Sirsa — Verified Recovery
“Severe hip avascular necrosis left me limping with agonizing groin pain. Dr. Deepak Garg performed Direct Anterior Total Hip Replacement with dual-mobility ceramic bearings without cutting any buttock muscles. I walked the very evening of surgery and drove my car at 3 weeks!”
Mansa — Verified Recovery
“Two outside hospitals told my father that my right leg had to be amputated from the hip due to distal femur osteosarcoma. Dr. Deepak Garg gave us confidence. He removed the entire bone cancer with clear margins and rebuilt my knee using a modular titanium megaprosthesis. Today I walk normally, ride my motorcycle, and am 100% cancer-free!”
Muktsar — Verified Recovery
“I was terrified of knee surgery after seeing neighbors bedridden for months. Dr. Deepak Garg's subvastus muscle-sparing technique meant zero cutting of my thigh muscle. I was walking with a walker within 6 hours of surgery and climbed stairs at 2 weeks without any knee pain!”
Bathinda — Verified Recovery
Evidence-based surgical recovery roadmaps, robotic joint protocols, and precision oncology insights written by our clinical directors.
Sports medicine & trauma guide by Dr. Deepak Garg on multi-ligament knee injuries (MLKI), Schenck classification KD-I to KD-IV, popliteal vascular evaluation, and anatomical 4K arthroscopic reconstruction (ACL/PCL/PLC).
Senior Consultant & Clinical Director — Orthopaedic Oncology & Robotic Joint Surgery
Revision hip surgery guide by Dr. Deepak Garg on massive acetabular bone loss, Paprosky classification Type I-IIIB, 3D-printed trabecular titanium modular augments, and pelvic discontinuity repair.
Senior Consultant & Clinical Director — Orthopaedic Oncology & Robotic Joint Surgery
Orthopaedic oncology guide by Dr. Deepak Garg on managing metastatic bone disease of the long bones, Mirels' scoring criteria, prophylactic intramedullary nailing, and modular tumor resection.
Senior Consultant & Clinical Director — Orthopaedic Oncology & Robotic Joint Surgery
Joint replacement guide by Dr. Deepak Garg comparing Kinematic Alignment (KA) vs. Mechanical Alignment (MA) in 3D robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty, soft tissue balancing, and Day-1 walking outcomes.
Senior Consultant & Clinical Director — Orthopaedic Oncology & Robotic Joint Surgery
Comprehensive clinical orthopaedic oncology analysis by Dr. Deepak Garg on Giant Cell Tumor of Bone (GCTB), Campanacci staging, extended intralesional curettage, subchondral cementation, and megaprosthetic reconstruction.
Senior Consultant & Clinical Director — Orthopaedic Oncology & Robotic Joint Surgery
Orthopaedic oncology guide by Dr. Deepak Garg on extremity soft tissue sarcoma management, 3D barrier-based margin clearance, neoadjuvant IMRT protocols, and flap reconstruction.
Senior Consultant & Clinical Director — Orthopaedic Oncology & Robotic Joint Surgery
