Current diagnostic standards for NSCLC are based on the detection of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF), and mesenchymal epithelial transition (MET) mutations, as well as analyses of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), ROS proto-oncogene receptor tyrosine kinase 1 (ROS1), and neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase (NTRK) translocations. The gene discussed is ALK; the disease is non-small cell lung carcinoma.