A new genetic test to measure the aggressiveness of prostate cancer may help tens of thousands of men each year to decide whether the need to immediately treat cancer or can safely monitor.
"Sale on Wednesday, adding a new test, recently came to another market. Analysis of biopsy samples of multiple genes and aggressive, like some breast and colon cancer test score.
The doctor said that this test may contain a major problem in cancer care - overtreatment. Prostate cancer usually grows so slowly they will never be a threat to human life, but some are deadly, no reliable way to tell which ones will. In most cases, no surgery, radiotherapy or hormone receptor blocker therapy can cause impotence or incontinence, but most men are afraid to skip it.
"We will not give patients enough information to make their own decisions, said:" Dr. Peter Carroll, chairman of the urology at the University of California, San Francisco. "You can buy a toaster" better than the prostate treatment, he said.
The latest test - the Oncotype DX genomic prostate scores - he led a discussion Wednesday at the American Urological Association meeting in San Diego.
The results show that the test three times the number of men is considered to be in such a low risk for aggressive disease monitoring is an obvious security options. On the contrary, the test also made some tumors more aggressive than the doctors believe.
The independent expert said that this test is urgently needed, but it is unclear how much information to add or enough to persuade people to give up treatment of low-risk tumors, and it is only when it gets worse. Only 10% of monitoring candidates who chose it.
"Now the question is, what is the magnitude of the difference will change the patient's mind?" Said Dr. Bruce Ross, a cancer specialist at Washington University in St. Louis.
A person can view his tumor has a 15% chance of active low risk ", but others may say, 'Oh, my God, let us set the surgery tomorrow," he said. "I do not think this is a slam dunk."
Also unknown: the insurance company to pay the expensive test there is no evidence in the case, it will lead to better care, or save lives?
The latest test developed by Genomic Health, since 2004, has sold a similar breast cancer. The doctors initially skeptical, until proved its value in the study of more groups of women, and the same may occur with prostate test, deputy chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society said 莱恩博士利 希滕费尔德.
The company will receive $ 3820 prostate test, and that it can save money, avoid costly, unnecessary treatment. Another test in assessing the risk of prostate cancer last summer - by Myriad Genetics Inc. Prolaris - priced at $ 3,400.
The two companies can sell the Food and Drug Administration approval to test, there is no separate rules under the jurisdiction of laboratory diagnosis. Myriad Genetics has published 9 Prolaris studies involving more than 3,000 patients. Genomic Health has not published any results for prostate test, another thing that makes doctors wary of. However, it has a track record of breast cancer test.
About 240,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with prostate cancer, about half a year as a low-risk, using current methods. Doctors now a person's age and how active cells look biopsy, 12-14 tissue samples and other factors on the basis of the risk estimates. But the the tumors often distribution and change from one place to another.
Biopsy has reached a most active part in the prostate, unless you can be sure you're not sure how accurate your risk estimates, Dr. Eric Klein explained that the Director of Urology at the Cleveland Clinic, who led the early the development of the Oncotype the prostate cancer detection.
One study, researchers from 440 men with prostate removed. They measured the activity of hundreds of genes thought to be involved beyond the prostate cancer cell proliferation or prove fatal. Another study of 167 patients with biopsy narrowed to 81 genes, the researchers selected 17, seems to predict aggressive in terms of the location of the tumor.
A third study using a single-needle biopsy samples from 395 plan UCSF patients with prostate deleted. Genetic test to accurately predict the aggressiveness of their cancer Once the doctor is able to see the entire prostate surgery.
Use a current, 37,395 people will be referred to as very low risk and good candidates for monitoring. The added genetic test 100 people, another study's lead author, Dr. Matthew Cooperberg University of California, San Francisco. The genetic test for about half of the men transferred to a lower or higher risk category.
Go two ways - which is a great thing. Increase in the risk of any class of independent information compared to the standard we use today, "Carroll said. "More work needs to be done, but, in my opinion, this is a good start."
However, Dr. Kevin McVary, chairman, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Department of Urology and Urological Association spokesman said, before more men must be authenticated, it can be widely used in the test.
"This is not yet," he said.
University of California, San Francisco just to get a federal grant to see a man how to choose the treatment methods and the test will shake them.
"We put all these figures and they really want to make better decisions?" Said Cooperberg.
Dean Smith, aged 60, a retired marketing personnel from Mill Valley, California, after his doctor's advice, in March, he was diagnosed with monitoring cancer. He said the genetic test may make him more comfortable, decision.
At least six of his friends suffered side effects from urine leakage can not have sex after removing the prostate.
"I'll be suspected of suffering from cancer and has to live with it, will be very difficult," but it does not bother him, Smith said. "I will die of something other than prostate cancer, I assure you."
 
 



Other News:
Gene test may help guide prostate cancer treatment
Cuban agent begins renouncement of U.S. citizenship
Ukraine expects to sign cooperation accord with EU
Syrian rebels shoot down regime helicopter in east
NY officials vow attack on predatory debt-fixing
Treasury Secretary's loopy signature improving
Malaysia PM faces limited future after worst electoral showing
To join EU, Croatia may give up its wine