12/18/2025
PTEN gene mutation analysis evaluates alterations in the PTEN tumor suppressor gene, which regulates cell growth, survival, and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Loss-of-function PTEN mutations lead to uncontrolled cellular proliferation and are implicated in multiple malignancies, including breast, endometrial, prostate, and glioblastoma, as well as hereditary cancer syndromes such as PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (Cowden syndrome). Molecular testing is typically performed using next-generation sequencing on tumor tissue or germline DNA, and may be complemented by copy number analysis or immunohistochemistry for PTEN protein loss. Identifying PTEN alterations has diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic relevance, particularly in guiding targeted therapy selection and assessing cancer risk in affected individuals.