Simple test predicts return of bladder cancer

cancer
Killer T cells surround a cancer cell. Credit: NIH

Scientists have devised a simple test for an earlier and more accurate warning of returning bladder cancer than existing methods, according to research published in the British Journal of Cancer today.

Researchers from the University Hospital of Lyon tested the urine of 348 bladder cancer patients for a called TERT, and this was able to predict when the cancer was about to return in more than 80 per cent of patients. The standard method, called cytology, detected the return in only 34 per cent of patients.

The new test detected bladder cancers that had not spread to the muscle wall, earlier than cytology, potentially helping doctors to start treatment sooner and before symptoms appear.

A further benefit is that the distinguished cancer from urinary tract infections.

Professor Alain Ruffion, a researcher based at the University Hospital of Lyon's Oncology Institute said: "The standard cytology test needs a doctor to look down a microscope to read the results, but the TERT test is read by a machine which is simpler, more accurate and available to use straightaway. While the TERT test costs slightly more than standard cytology, it is likely to become cheaper over time."

"The fact that the doesn't react to is very interesting because it shows that it is robust and unlikely to give misleading results."

The discovery also suggests that further research is needed to understand more about the role TERT faults play in bladder .

Anna Perman, senior science information manager at Cancer Research UK, said: "This promising study suggests a new and more accurate early warning system to detect whether bladder cancers are likely to return. Larger trials are now needed to see if this information could help more people survive by catching 's return at its earliest stage."

More information: Descotes et al. Non-invasive prediction of recurrence in bladder cancer by detecting somatic TERT promoter mutations in urine. British Journal of Cancer. www.nature.com/bjc/journal/vao … ull/bjc2017210a.html

Journal information: British Journal of Cancer
Provided by Cancer Research UK
Citation: Simple test predicts return of bladder cancer (2017, July 7) retrieved 19 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-07-simple-bladder-cancer.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Home bladder cancer tests set for clinical trial

42 shares

Feedback to editors