EGFR testing: what it means for you

Waiting on test results can feel like one more hard thing, for you and the people who love you. Here's what the EGFR test looks for and how it can help your care team pick the treatment most likely to work for you.

ℹ️ General information to help you and your loved ones talk with your care team, not medical advice. Read our disclaimer.

Matters most in: Lung cancer

The quick guide

What the test looks for: Mutations in the EGFR gene in non-small cell lung cancer, most often exon 19 deletions or the L858R change. Less common types include exon 20 insertions.

Why it matters

EGFR changes are more common in people who never smoked and in people of Asian descent. If you have one, targeted pills usually work better than chemo alone, and immunotherapy alone tends to work less well.

Treatments it can point to

EGFR pills such as Tagrisso (osimertinib) (Tagrisso (osimertinib))
Combinations such as amivantamab with lazertinib, or osimertinib with chemo (Tagrisso (osimertinib))
For exon 20 insertions, amivantamab-based treatment

Only your care team can say which treatment fits you. Drug approvals depend on cancer type, stage and prior treatment.

Tissue vs. blood testing

Tissue is standard. A blood test can give faster results and is often done at the same time.

Most tests use a piece of tumor tissue from a biopsy or surgery. Some can also use a blood sample (a 'liquid biopsy') that looks for tumor DNA floating in the blood. Blood tests are easier and faster, but they can miss a change that a tissue test would find, so a negative blood test is often followed by a tissue test.

❓ Questions you and your loved ones can ask

Which EGFR change do I have?
Should I wait for test results before starting treatment?
When will my results be back, and will treatment wait for them?
Will my insurance cover this test?

Written by the Cancer Side Effects Guide team from FDA labels and leading cancer centers. Not medical advice. · Last updated: October 15, 2026 · How we write

Not medical advice. This page is general information to help you talk with your care team. It can't replace advice from your doctor or nurse. If you have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher during treatment, or any symptom that worries you, call your care team now. In an emergency, call 911.