1800 202 8726
Molecular & Genomic Testing

Molecular and Genomic Testing — Costs and What You Actually Need

Molecular testing is the most expensive layer of cancer diagnosis, and it is also the most over-ordered. The right test depends on your cancer type, not on which panel covers the most genes.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · MD · DM (Adyar, Chennai) · ECMO · MRCP SCE (UK) · Last reviewed September 2026

  • Costs vary by ten times or more — A single-gene test and a comprehensive panel serve different purposes and sit at opposite ends of the price range.
  • More genes is not always better — ESMO and NCCN guidance reserves broad panels for specific situations, not routine use across all cancer types.
  • Tissue quality comes first — No molecular test works if the biopsy sample is insufficient. The laboratory confirms adequacy before a panel is chosen.
  • Some tests are covered under government schemes — Ayushman Bharat covers certain molecular tests for eligible beneficiaries. Check with the billing desk before paying out of pocket.
4.8 · 800+ Google reviews · 15,000+ patients treated
Limited Slots Today

Get an indicative cost estimate

₹950   Today: FREE  ·  Including free written second opinion

Reply within 2 working hours
Report reviewed by a senior oncologist
Confidential. No commitment to start treatment.
or
Call 1800 202 8726
17+
Cancer Specialists
on Panel
96.9%
Breast Cancer
Survival Rate*
15,000+
Patients
Treated
4.8★
Google Rating
(800+ reviews)

Indicative costs for molecular testing in India range from around ₹3,000 for a single-gene test to over ₹1 lakh for comprehensive genomic profiling (2025–26 prices). The right test is decided by your cancer type and stage, not by cost. Most patients need a targeted panel, not the most comprehensive one.

What does each molecular test cost in India?

Test typeWhat it coversIndicative cost (INR, 2025–26)Turnaround
Single-gene test (PCR or IHC)One gene — such as EGFR, BRAF, HER2, ALK₹3,000 – ₹8,0003–5 days
Small hotspot panel (10–50 genes)The most common actionable mutations for one cancer type₹10,000 – ₹25,0007–10 days
Large NGS panel (100–500 genes)Broad mutation, fusion, and amplification screening₹25,000 – ₹60,00010–15 days
Comprehensive genomic profiling (500+ genes)Nearly all known cancer genes, plus MSI and TMB status₹60,000 – ₹1,20,000+15–21 days

What should you check before ordering a large panel?

  • Your oncologist has explained why a broad panel is needed for your specific cancer type.
  • Your biopsy sample has been assessed as adequate for NGS by the laboratory.
  • A smaller targeted panel would not give your team the same treatment information.
  • You have confirmed whether your insurance or government scheme covers the test.
  • The laboratory is NABL-accredited or uses a validated international assay.
  • You understand that finding no actionable mutation is still a valid and useful result.

How does molecular testing happen, from biopsy to result?

  1. Tissue is taken or retrieved

    Testing uses tumour tissue from your biopsy. In most cases, the stored block from a previous biopsy is enough and a new procedure is not needed.

  2. Your oncologist selects the panel

    The panel is chosen based on your cancer type, stage, and the treatment decision it will inform. This is the step that determines the cost.

  3. The sample goes to the laboratory

    The laboratory extracts DNA from the tumour tissue. Some centres process samples on site; others send them to a partner laboratory, which can add a day or two to the turnaround.

  4. Sequencing and analysis

    The laboratory sequences the relevant genes and compares findings against a database of known cancer mutations. Results are interpreted by a molecular pathologist.

  5. Results come back to your oncologist

    A detailed report lists mutations found, their clinical significance, and whether any targeted treatment is associated with each finding. Your oncologist discusses this with you at the next appointment.

What will this actually cost you?

Costs depend on the regimen, the number of cycles and your scheme eligibility. Send your reports and we will give you an itemised, indicative estimate.

Meet the Specialists

17+ senior cancer specialists. One panel for your case.

Trained at AIIMS, Tata Memorial, and leading international centres. Combined 150+ years of experience. Every complex case is reviewed by 3+ of them — together.

Dr. Naresh Gundu
Medical Oncologist

Dr. Naresh Gundu

MBBS, DNB (Internal Medicine), DM (Medical Oncology)

View Profile
Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy
Medical Oncologist

Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy

MBBS(Gold Medal), DNB(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Gold Medal)

View Profile
Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla
Medical Oncologist

Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla

MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)

View Profile
Dr. Owais Mohammed
Medical Oncologist

Dr. Owais Mohammed

MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)

View Profile
Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy
Medical Oncologist

Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy

MBBS, DM (Medical Oncology), MD (Radiation Oncology)

View Profile
Dr. N. Kiranmayee
Medical Oncologist

Dr. N. Kiranmayee

MBBS, DM (Medical Oncology), MD (Internal Medicine)

View Profile
Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty

MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery) (AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh)

View Profile
Dr. Raghavendra Naik
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Raghavendra Naik

MBBS, MS (General Surgery), M.Ch (Surgical Oncology)

View Profile
Dr. Mohammed  Imaduddin
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Mohammed Imaduddin

M.B.B.S, MS (General Surgery), M.Ch (Surgical Oncology)

View Profile
Dr. Vinay Mamidala
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Vinay Mamidala

MBBS, MS(General Surgery), M.Ch(Surgical Oncology), FMAS, FARIS(Ongoing)

View Profile
Dr. Paila Gowri Naidu
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Paila Gowri Naidu

MBBS, MS (General Surgery), M.Ch (Surgical Oncology), FMAS

View Profile
Dr. Venkata Sushma P
Radiation Oncologist

Dr. Venkata Sushma P

MBBS, MD (Radiation Oncology)

View Profile
Dr. Kirti Ranjan Mohanty
Radiation Oncologist

Dr. Kirti Ranjan Mohanty

MBBS, MD (Radiation Oncology)

View Profile
Dr. Gangadhar Vajrala
Radiation Oncologist

Dr. Gangadhar Vajrala

MBBS, MD (Radiation Oncology), MPH

View Profile
Dr. Basudev Pokhrel
Hematologist

Dr. Basudev Pokhrel

MBBS, M.D (Immunohematology & Blood Transfusion)

View Profile
Dr. Mohammed Imran
Interventional Radiologist

Dr. Mohammed Imran

View Profile
Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar

MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology), FALS Oncology

View Profile
Dr. Sridhar Kamani
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Sridhar Kamani

MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology)

View Profile

Want a specific doctor for your case? Mention them when booking.

Book Free Consultation

Know the cost before you commit

An itemised estimate, plus a check of which schemes you may qualify for.

Book Free Consultation Call 1800 202 8726

Small targeted panel versus comprehensive genomic profiling: what is the difference?

Small targeted panelComprehensive genomic profiling
Genes covered10–50, chosen for your cancer type400–500+, covering most known cancer genes
Indicative cost (2025–26)₹10,000 – ₹25,000₹60,000 – ₹1,20,000+
Turnaround time7–10 days15–21 days
Best used whenCancer type is known and likely drivers are establishedRare cancer, unknown primary, or standard treatments have stopped working
Insurance coverageMore commonly coveredLess commonly covered — confirm before ordering
Risk of uncertain resultLower — fewer genes, clearer implicationsHigher — variants of uncertain significance are more common

Is comprehensive genomic profiling worth the cost?

For most common cancers at diagnosis, it is not the first test to order. NCCN and ESMO guidance reserves comprehensive profiling for specific situations — rare cancers, cancers of unknown primary, and cases where standard treatments have stopped working.

For a newly diagnosed lung, breast, or colorectal cancer, a targeted panel covering the genes relevant to that cancer type gives your oncologist the same treatment information at a fraction of the cost.

Comprehensive profiling becomes worth it when no standard molecular driver has been found, when the cancer is too rare for a single-cancer panel to exist, or when you and your oncologist are exploring clinical trial eligibility. In those situations, the additional cost is justified.

Did you know?

In evidence reviewed by ESMO, a significant proportion of patients who received comprehensive genomic profiling in routine practice did not have a finding that changed their treatment.

The proportion varies by cancer type. For common cancers with established molecular drivers, a targeted panel finds what is clinically relevant and costs far less.

Source: ESMO Scale for Clinical Actionability of molecular Targets (ESCAT)

Explore 71 more Understanding Your Biopsy and Whether You Need One topics

HUB — Does a Biopsy Spread Cancer? Myths and Evidence

HUB — What Is a Biopsy? Everything You Need to Know

All Understanding Your Biopsy and Whether You Need One →

Next step

Still not sure what applies to you?

Send your reports across and a senior medical oncologist will go through what they mean, what is known, and what the options actually are.

Book Free Consultation Call 1800 202 8726
Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Does insurance cover molecular testing in India?

Coverage varies by insurer, policy type, and cancer diagnosis. Some policies include targeted single-gene tests as part of the diagnostic workup but exclude large NGS panels. Ayushman Bharat covers certain molecular tests for eligible beneficiaries, depending on cancer type and scheme tier. Before ordering any test that costs significantly more than the simpler alternatives, ask the billing team at your centre to check your specific policy — an insurer who covers the biopsy may not cover the molecular analysis separately.

Can the same biopsy sample be used for all molecular tests?

Usually yes. Most molecular tests use tumour tissue from a biopsy you have already had, preserved as a paraffin block in the pathology department. The laboratory cuts a small section from that block. The risk of the sample being insufficient is higher for very small biopsies, older samples, or certain decalcified bone samples. If your oncologist says the sample is not adequate, a new biopsy or a liquid biopsy may be needed before testing can proceed.

What is a liquid biopsy and does it cost less?

A liquid biopsy analyses circulating tumour DNA from a blood sample rather than tissue. It avoids a new biopsy procedure and is useful when tissue is hard to reach or the existing sample is insufficient. Costs are broadly in the same range as tissue-based NGS panels — not consistently cheaper in most Indian settings. It does not always detect all the mutations a tissue biopsy would, so it is usually a complement to tissue testing rather than a replacement. Your oncologist will advise whether it applies to your situation.

How long do results take, and can we speed them up?

Single-gene tests typically return in three to five days. Large NGS panels take ten to twenty-one days, depending on whether the sample is processed locally or sent to a partner laboratory. Some laboratories offer an expedited service at additional cost. If results are needed urgently — for example, before a surgery date or to start a treatment cycle — ask the laboratory directly whether a faster turnaround is available. Your oncology team can raise this on your behalf.

What does it mean if no actionable mutation is found?

It is a valid and useful result, not a failure. It tells your oncologist that targeted therapy is unlikely to help and that treatment should follow standard protocols for your cancer type and stage. You are not out of options. For some cancers, a negative molecular result also informs prognosis and immunotherapy eligibility — particularly when the report includes MSI and TMB findings. Ask your oncologist specifically what a negative result means for your next treatment decision.

Which laboratory should we use for molecular testing?

Your oncologist's team will coordinate testing with a laboratory they work with and trust. The key questions to ask are whether it is NABL-accredited, whether it uses a validated and clinically established assay, and whether the report includes interpretation by a molecular pathologist rather than a raw data output alone. CION coordinates molecular testing through partner laboratories. If you want to use a different laboratory, discuss it with your team first to confirm the results will be in a format they can act on.

Full index

Browse all 701 biopsy topics

Every page in this section, grouped by the part of the journey it belongs to. Pick a group to see what is in it.

What Is a Biopsy?

What Is a Biopsy? Everything You Need to Know →

Types of Biopsy Compared

Which Biopsy Will You Have? Techniques Compared →

Preparing for a Biopsy

What to Expect on the Day of Your Biopsy →

Recovery and Aftercare

After a Biopsy: Recovery, Aftercare and Warning Signs →

Biopsy by Body Part

Biopsy by Body Part: What to Expect at Each Site →

Understanding Your Report

How to Read a Biopsy Report: Terms Explained →

IHC and Molecular Markers

IHC and Molecular Markers on a Biopsy: What They Mean →

Grading and Scoring Systems

Cytology & Prostate Scoring Systems Explained →

How Accurate Is a Biopsy?

How Accurate Is a Biopsy? Errors and Second Opinions →

If Your Result Is Benign

Your Biopsy Is Benign: What It Means and What Comes Next →

Call now Book free consultation