More Precise Prostate Cancer Screening on Horizon

NEW YORK, Sept. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This September, during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, there is talk of a new prostate cancer screening method that may change the face of prostate cancer diagnoses. Initial data gathered by two Cleveland hospitals and one Boston hospital, analyzed by the National Cancer Institute, indicates significantly more accurate results with a new urine screening. Dr. David Samadi, Vice Chairman, Department of Urology, and Chief of Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery at The Mount Sinai Medical Center, is encouraged by the potential of this new screening to more accurately identify prostate cancer in men. "Increasing awareness of prostate cancer and the importance of early screening is key," said Dr. Samadi, "but being able to share potential advancements in our screening capabilities, especially during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, is even better."

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110902/NY61902 )

This new PSA/SIA assay is believed to be more accurate because it is able to evaluate a wide range of ultra-structural changes in the PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) protein, rather than just identifying a patient's PSA level, as the current test does. "This test appears to have a way of deciphering the PSA molecular structures of cancerous cells vs. those of non-cancerous cell," explains Dr. Samadi. "While the PSA test is critical to identifying prostate cancer in men, there are some limitations of the current screening. We see more false positive and false negatives than are ideal." The current PSA blood test is believed to result in false negatives 15 percent of the time and false positives 55-75% of the time. "Unfortunately, a false positive can be very traumatizing to a patient. If we could hone the findings to more accurate positives, the need for prostate biopsies would likely decline. And, of course, a false negative has significant implications," said Dr. Samadi, who believes the current PSA test to be indispensable, despite its limitations.

On the basis that blood PSA level alone is not a clear enough indicator of the presence of prostate cancer, this study focused on the evaluation of microscopic structural changes in urine. As an assay, it is believed that this more sensitive test may be able to determine not only the presence of prostate cancer, but its level or aggressiveness, too. "Improvements to prostate cancer staging would be extremely valuable, as well," Dr. Samadi added. "Too often, prostate cancer patients believe they have plenty of time. In reality, prostate cancer can progress very quickly, without notice. Robotic prostatectomy surgery erases the unknown; more accurate staging could help patients reach the decision for life-saving radical prostatectomy surgery sooner."

Researchers conducted the urine-based test on 222 men across three hospitals. The results showed a 100 percent sensitivity, meaning no false negatives; an 80 percent specificity was found, a drastic reduction in false positives from the current PSA test. Further clinical research will be conducted and the test should be available within a year. The test is made by AnalizaDX, Inc., a Cleveland-based biotech company, who will initially conduct the testing of submitted samples at their facilities. "I do hope continued research shows the same level of success with the PSA/SIA assay. Early prostate cancer tests are our best defense," said Dr. Samadi, "I look forward to our ability to deliver increased screening accuracy to our patients."

More can be seen from prostate cancer expert, Dr. David Samadi, who is also part of the Fox News Medical A-Team.

New Study On Prostate Cancer Screening Effectiveness
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFH1XFgoziQ

Comparing Prostate Cancer Treatment Options - Robotic Surgery Vs. Watchful Waiting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dC4T9JAJss

Related Links: Smart-Surgery.com

SOURCE RoboticOncology.com