04
May 2021
New urine test could detect aggressive prostate cancer missed by up to one in five diagnostic scans
The Urine Prostate Seq test, or UPSeq for short, which has been developed by a team at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Centre, collects a urine sample after a digital rectal exam and uses genomic sequencing to analyse the liquid.
According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is currently the most common form of the disease in US men aside from skin cancer, and it is estimated that one in eight men will be diagnosed during the course of their lifetime.
However, the cancer is usually slow growing and if detected early while still confined to the prostate gland, there is a successful chance of treatment.
Prostate cancer is usually diagnosed initially through a blood test or a digital rectal exam. If these come back with irregularities, a patient may undergo a transrectal ultrasound and MRI, or a prostate biopsy.
The new test uses artificial intelligence and analyses 15 species of RNA together to create a ‘liquid biopsy’.
Dr Simpa Salama, senior study author and assistant professor of urology at Michigan Medicine, said “The problem is that a patient can have multiple areas of cancer in the prostate and these areas may be different than each other.
“Because of this, both prostate biopsies and MRI scans can miss evidence of aggressive disease. So, this urine test is designed to tell us what’s really happening throughout the whole prostate.”
The team also say that as well as being able to detect aggressive forms of the cancer, the test is also able to warn doctors if a patient’s family members may also be at higher risk for prostate cancer due to specific gene mutations.
Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.
If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.
Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
Freephone : 0800 304 7382
- Like this ? Share with friends