Bio-Market Urine Test for Aggressive Prostate Cancer

In 2009, the American Cancer Society estimates 192,280 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and estimated 27,360 deaths from prostate cancer. "Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men." 1 Mathew Shuford, urologist at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas said regarding prostate cancer testing: "Early diagnosis greatly increases a man's chance of successful treatment." 3 Traditionally a prostate - specific antigen (PSA) blood test examines for elevated levels as a diagnostic tool for the risk of prostate cancer. According to PSA results levels less than four have 15% chance for developing prostate cancer, and between four and ten have a 25% chance of having prostate cancer and most concerning higher than 10, risk 67% developing prostate cancer. 2 Prostate Specific Antigen test can produce faulty results. 3 Unreliable PSA results can lead to unnecessary prostate cancer surgery (radical or total prostatectomy, which is the removal of the prostate gland. 4), and risk side - effects such as impotence, and incontinence (Nerve sparing techniques during surgery prevent side-effects 4) A new bio-marker urine test being developed to conclusively diagnosis, difference between dormant prostate cancer not requiring treatment compared to aggressive prostate tumors requiring treatment 5

The prostate gland (organ) has two functions: Control urination by pressing directly against part of the urethra (Functions to pass urine to the outside of the body 6), and passage of semen for reproduction during ejaculation. Prostate gland health concerns include malignant growth of tumors (Destroying normal healthy body tissue) or cancer metastasis (spread) to other parts of the body. Age and genetics are predominant reasons for the development of prostate cancer: Hereditary among family members, African Americans forty and older, and men older than fifty years. "One out of six men in the U.S. will develop this form of cancer during their lifetime." Symptoms of prostate cancer include: Painful urination, frequent urination, difficult to achieve an erection or impotence, painful ejaculation, pelvic discomfort, blood or pus in the urine and frequent hip and spine pain. Digital Rectal Examination (Physical examination to feel the surface of the prostate for abnormalities) and Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) tests detect prostate health concerns including cancer. General PSA guidelines are measured from four (normal) to greater than ten (abnormally high). Increased PSA level is not always indicative of prostate cancer (faulty results 3) but maybe related to an infection or enlarged prostate, stones within the prostate, urinary tract infection and non-cancerous disorders. 7 Also, low PSA test result may conceal a cancer that should be treated or high PSA levels can lead to false alarms. 9

Published in the British Journal of Cancer (May 13, 2009 issue), a study lead by

Dr. Jonas Nilsson (VU University Medical Centre in Amsterdam, the Netherlands) discovered genetic information or bio-marker found inside bubbles of fat (Fatty capsules called exosomes detected in urine, higher levels excreted in large quantities by some cancer cells. 5) in men's urine could show if prostate cancer is aggressive (fast growing) or dormant. 8 Exosomes contain ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules derived directly from a tumor and can be evaluated to determine which genes are turned on or off in an individual cancer. "Different genes are switched on and off in aggressive and dormant prostate cancers." 5 "By analyzing the RNA molecules shed by the cancer cells, Nilsson and colleagues say it should be possible to see which pattern corresponds to aggressive prostate cancer." When aggressive prostate cancer is detected treatment is recommended to start immediately, otherwises monitoring the situation is only required and unnecessary surgery or treatment is not recommended (Besides treatment can lead to long - term side effects like incontinence or impotence), unless the status changes. 8

Dr. Nilsson bio-marker urine test at an early stage for development: Rapid and accurate determination for aggressive prostate tumors to be treated and sparing unnecessary treatment for less aggressive or dormant tumors. 8 Further scientific study will need to examine exosomes from a large number of men before the urine bio-market test can be reliable confirmed. 10

References:

1.) How Many Men Get Prostate Cancer? - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_2_1X_How_many_men_get_prostate_cancer_36.asp?sitearea=

2.) Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test - http://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/guide/psa

3.) Scientist Find New Way to Identify Deadly Forms of Prostate Cancer - http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1689205/scientists_find_new_way_to_identify_deadly_forms_of_prostate/index.html?source=r_health

4.) Prostate Cancer (cont.) - What about surgical treatment for prostate cancer? -

http://www.medicinenet.com/prostate_cancer/page8.htm

5.) New test for prostate cancer unveiled - http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/health/new-test-for-prostate-cancer-unveiled-14300129.html?r=RSS

6.) Urethra - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urethra

7.) Prostate Cancer - http://www.abbottdiagnostics.com/Your_Health/Cancer-Oncology/prostate.cfm

8.) New Biomarker For Aggressive Prostate Cancer, Study - http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/149942.php

9.) Urine biomarker for prostate cancer discovered - http://www.healthandage.com/public/article/3463/Urine-biomarker-for-prostate-cancer-discovered.html

10.) Hope of new prostate cancer test - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8045345.stm