Urine test can predict high-risk prostate cancer

Total Health | February 7th, 2012

A less invasive method of detecting the progression of prostateA gland that surrounds the urethra near the bladder. It produces a fluid that forms part of the semen. cancers and aggressiveness of the disease is being developed by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in the USA. Two urine-based biomarkersA substance that can be measured to help healthcare professionals to assess normal processes, disease processes or a person's response to treatment. which correlate with tumourAn abnormal swelling. volume and aggressiveness of cancer were found by the team when analysing over 400 men who were receiving active surveillance of their prostate cancer.

The researchers hope to enrol a further 1000 men and study their cancer and biomarkers for a minimum of five years before making any firm conclusions although it appears likely that a urine test to establish the presence or development of prostate cancer will become available.

The test will be most useful for men who adopt the ‘watchful waitingThe management of prostate cancer by surveillance rather than initial intervention.’ approach to prostate cancer due to the disease being slow growing and often not life threatening. The urine test will enable those men who are delaying treatment but monitoring their cancer to assess its development better than the current prostate biopsies.
 

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Expert articles

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer

By Mr Christian Brown, Consultant Urological SurgeonContact
King's College Hospital, The Lister Hospital

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomyThe surgical removal of the entire prostate gland., also known as keyhole prostatectomy, is a minimally invasive operation performed by a Urological Surgeon to treat, and cure, prostate cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body.. It is performed under general anaestheticAny agent that reduces or abolishes sensation, affecting the whole body. and involves removing the entire prostate glandAn organ with the ability to make and secrete certain fluids., seminal vesicles A pair of pouch-like glands situated on each side of the bladder in males. These produce the components of semen. , and sometimes the lymphA watery or milky bodily fluid containing lymphocytes, proteins and fats. Lymph accumulates outside the blood vessels in the intercellular spaces of the body tiisues and is collected by the vessels of the lymphatic system. glands within the pelvisThe bony basin formed by the hip bones and the lower vertebrae of the spine; also refers to the lower part of the abdomen.. The bladderThe organ that stores urine. is then re-attached to the urethraThe tube that carries urine from the bladder, and in men also carries semen during ejaculation. with sutures.

Prostate Artery Embolisation for BPH

By Dr Nigel Hacking, Consultant RadiologistContact
Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, The Princess Grace Hospital

Benign prostatic hyperplasia/hypertrophyAn increase in the size of the tissue of an organ resulting from an increase in the size of its individual cells. (BPHAn abbreviation for benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is enlargement of the prostate that may cause difficulty in passing urine.), an increase in the size of the prostateA gland that surrounds the urethra near the bladder. It produces a fluid that forms part of the semen., is one of the most common causes of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) affecting men. The process by which the prostate begins enlarging begins around the age of 30 and up to 50% of men will have histological evidence of BPH by 50 years of age. By 80 years of age this rises to 75% although not all of these men will have symptoms.

This article presents an overview of a new and emerging treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasiaEnlargement of the prostate, which may cause difficulty in passing urine./hypertrophy known as Prostate Artery Embolisation. This will be of interest to any men who have been unsuccessfully treated in the past and are looking for new treatment options for BPH.

Progress in the treatment of advanced Prostate Cancer

By Professor Agamemnon Epenetos, Consultant Medical OncologistContact
Barts and the London NHS Trust, 80 Harley Street

This article presents an overview of the latest treatments for Prostate Cancer. We believe that this article will be of interest to anyone who has been diagnosed with prostateA gland that surrounds the urethra near the bladder. It produces a fluid that forms part of the semen. cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. and would like to know what their treatment options are, particularly during the advanced stage.

Prostate Cancer Screening – Addressing the dilemma

By Mr Rick Popert, Consultant Urological SurgeonContact
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London Bridge Hospital

The revised Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme (PCRMP) gives the opportunity for all men who have concerns about prostateA gland that surrounds the urethra near the bladder. It produces a fluid that forms part of the semen. cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body., to have the right to a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSAAn abbreviation for prostate-specific antigen, an enzyme that is produced by the prostate. High levels are present in the blood when the prostate gland is enlarged or inflamed.) bloodA fluid that transports oxygen and other substances through the body, made up of blood cells suspended in a liquid. test free on the NHS. This right should be exercised in the context of genuinely balanced information from their GP about the pros and cons of this test.

The modern management of localised Prostate Cancer

By Mr Rick Popert, Consultant Urological SurgeonContact
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London Bridge Hospital

Treatment advances in prostateA gland that surrounds the urethra near the bladder. It produces a fluid that forms part of the semen. cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. are dependant upon a multidisciplinaryRelating to a group of healthcare professionals with different areas of specialisation. approach and the resource to invest in new technology. Our department has been more fortunate in this regard than others and we have a comprehensive and integrated treatment programme. In some respects, this makes it harder to advise patients when the choice is so broad but I would rather that my patients were well informed on their options. Most often, it is not which treatment would be best for an individual but why one particular choice would be a bad idea.

Recent news

U-turn on the treatment of prostate cancer with abiraterone

Total Health | May 16th, 2012

As totalhealth wrote in February 2012, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) rejected the drug abiraterone for the treatment of prostate cancer. This was due to its limited benefit but high cost. However, new draft guidance published today by NICE, recommends that abiraterone should be used as a treatment option for castration-resistantA microbe, such as a type of bacteria, that is able to resist the effects of antibiotics or other drugs. metastatic prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer on the rise but deaths remain steady

Total Health | May 4th, 2012

Following the implementation of a new screeningA way to identify people who may have a certain condition, among a group of people who may or may not seem to test for prostateA gland that surrounds the urethra near the bladder. It produces a fluid that forms part of the semen. cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. in the UK, the numbers of men diagnosed with the disease has risen to approximately 40,000 men a year; three times higher than in 1989. This rise in diagnoses has not been matched, however, by a rise in mortality, with numbers of men dying from prostate cancer remaining steady at 10,000 each year.

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