Is your cancer really gone? How MRD tests help answer.

After cancer treatment, many people are left with a haunting uncertainty: Is the cancer really gone — and will it stay that way? That’s true even when scans appear clear. Today, an innovative tool is beginning to help doctors answer those questions with greater clarity and make care decisions with confidence. This technology is called molecular residual disease (MRD) testing.

What are MRD tests?

Molecular residual disease (MRD) tests, like Abbott’s next-generation Oncodetect test, are designed to detect small amounts of cancer DNA in the bloodstream. The presence — or absence — of this circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) can help doctors evaluate how well a patient is responding to treatment and assess the likelihood that their cancer will return.^1,2

Why consider MRD testing?

Molecular residual disease (MRD) testing provides a precise and personalized approach to cancer care. Because MRD tests can find tiny traces of cancer that are too small to show up on scans, they can alert care teams to the presence of disease earlier than traditional imaging methods.² Using these tests throughout care can give patients and their doctors more information and more time to take action, which can help direct treatment pathways.

Who is MRD testing for? 

Molecular residual disease (MRD) tests are for people who are undergoing treatment for cancer or who are in remission. MRD tests are performed after initial therapy, such as surgery, to determine if all the cancer was removed or to see how well a cancer has responded to chemotherapy. MRD testing can also be used after treatment is completed to help monitor for early signs that cancer may be coming back.

How might MRD tests help me or a loved one?

Molecular residual disease (MRD) tests can help support personalized care in several ways^3-6:

• Tailored therapy decisions: After surgery, MRD test results, combined with a patient’s risk of recurrence, may help oncologists determine whether chemotherapy is needed, and if so, help inform the choice of regimen and treatment length.
• More aggressive treatment when needed: A positive MRD result may prompt oncologists to escalate treatment with additional or targeted therapies.
• Swift action on signs of relapse: If MRD testing detects early signs that cancer may be returning, the care team may order more studies to confirm and pinpoint the source of recurrence—enabling timely and targeted intervention.

Are MRD tests covered by insurance in the U.S.?

Medicare covers multiple molecular residual disease (MRD) tests across solid tumor types, setting the precedent for additional insurance coverage.⁷ Reach out to your benefits coordinator if you have any questions about what is covered under your plan.

The takeaway: Molecular residual disease (MRD) tests can help bring more clarity and confidence to decisions throughout cancer care. Talk with your doctor to determine if an MRD test like the next-generation Oncodetect test is right for you.

References

¹ Kotani, D., Oki, E., Nakamura, Y. et al. Molecular residual disease and efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer. Nat Med 29, 127-134 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-022-02115-4 

² Diergaarde B, Young G, Hall DW, et al. Circulating tumor DNA as a marker of recurrence risk in Stage III colorectal cancer: The α‐CORRECT study. J Surg Oncol. 2025;132(1):175-186.

³ Chakrabarti S, Kasi AK, Parikh AR, Mahipal A. Finding Waldo: The Evolving Paradigm of Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA)—Guided Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) Assessment in Colorectal Cancer (CRC). Cancers. 2022;14(13):3078. doi:10.3390/cancers14133078

⁴ Dasari A, Morris VK, Allegra CJ, et al. ctDNA applications and integration in colorectal cancer: an NCI Colon and Rectal–Anal Task Forces whitepaper. Nat Rev Clin Oncol. 2020;17(12):757-770. doi:10.1038/s41571-020-0392-0

⁵ Cohen SA, Liu MC, Aleshin A, et al. Practical recommendations for using ctDNA in clinical decision making. Nature. 2023;619(7969):259-268. doi:10.1038/s41586-023-06225-y

⁶ Malla M, Loree JM, Kasi PM, Parikh AR. Using circulating tumor DNA in colorectal cancer: current and evolving practices. J Clin Oncol. 2022;40(24):2846-2857. doi:10.1200/JCO.21.02615

⁷ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Medicare Coverage Database. LCD—MolDX: Minimal Residual Disease Testing for Cancer. Accessed September 3, 2026. https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/lcd.aspx?lcdid=38779&ver=4