A panel tests for a certain selection of mutations (i.e. your husband was tested for X number of mutations. The test did not look for any other mutations outside of that pre-selected assortment of mutations.) So this can be a problem sometimes: Someone can have a mutation not on that list, but and the test will not identify it, thus giving you a 'normal' result.
Having the gene sequenced means that rather than looking for specific mutations, the gene itself is examined/sequenced for ANY kind of mutation. This is how an ever-increasing number of mutations is identified; well over 1,500 to date. One that is 'relatively' common could be discovered during this process, or one could be discovered that is completely new, never before seen. You just don't know until it's done. And having the part done that looks for deletions and duplications will find stuff that no other mutation test out there to date (that I know of) will find. This test cannot give you a 100% guarantee either, but odds of a false negative result are MUCH lower than with a panel test.
Having the gene sequenced means that rather than looking for specific mutations, the gene itself is examined/sequenced for ANY kind of mutation. This is how an ever-increasing number of mutations is identified; well over 1,500 to date. One that is 'relatively' common could be discovered during this process, or one could be discovered that is completely new, never before seen. You just don't know until it's done. And having the part done that looks for deletions and duplications will find stuff that no other mutation test out there to date (that I know of) will find. This test cannot give you a 100% guarantee either, but odds of a false negative result are MUCH lower than with a panel test.